RARY    I 

ERSITY  OF     I 
.IFORNIA^/ 


^ 


^^^^^^^^t<_^ 


HISTORY 


TOWN  OF  WARWICK, 


MASSACHUSETTS, 


From  its  First  Settlement  to  1854. 


BY 


HON.   JONATHAN   BLAKE. 


BROUGHT  DOWN  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME  BY  OTHERS. 


JV/T//  AN  APPENDIX. 


BOSTON : 
NOYES,   HOLMES,   AND   COMPANY, 

219  Washington  Street. 
X873. 


LOAN  STACK 


BOSTON  : 

PRINTED    BY    RAND,    A  VERY,    &    CO. 

NO.    3,    CORNHILL. 


P7f  ! 


PREFACE, 


''  I  ^HE  following  brief  outline  of  the  early  history 
-■-  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  Mass.,  by  the  Hon. 
Jonathan  Blake,  was  written  about  forty  years  ago,  in 
1 83 1  and  1832.  A  small  part  of  it  has  been  written 
since  that  time.  It  was.  compiled  from  the  most  au- 
thentic records  of  the  town,  made  at  the  time  when  the 
various  transactions  took  place;  and  it  contains  mat- 
ters of  deep  and  thrilling  interest  to  all  the  inhabit- 
ants, whether  they  be  the  regular  descendants  of  the 
first  inhabitants  or  not.  All  naturally  wish  to  know 
something  of  the  origin,  character,  and  condition  of 
the  first  settlers,  —  of  those  who  first  opened  their 
eyes  on  this  beautiful  landscape,  this  wild  mountain 
scenery,  this  Switzerland  of  America  ;  and  here 
pitched  their  tents,  on  these  sloping  hill-sides  and 
in  these  winding  valleys,  beside  the  running  streams, 
and  babbling  brooks,  and  quiet  ponds,  surrounded  by 
the  tall  pines  of  the  forest.     All  wish  to  know  some- 


,327 


4  PREFACE. 

thing  of  the  hardy  pioneers,  who  felled  the  giant  trees, 
cleared  up  these  cultivated  fields,  made  these  roads, 
built  these  walls,  erected  these  houses,  and  did  so 
much  for  the  comfort  and  accommodation  of  the 
present  inhabitants.  To  all,  then,  who  have  come 
into  possession  of  this  goodly  inheritance,  it  contains 
matters  of  great  and  absorbing  interest,  which  ought 
to  be  preserved  for  future  generations.  Without  any 
view  to  publication,  it  was  written  expressly  for  the 
Warwick  Lyceum,  before  whom  select  portions  of  it 
were  read,  at  different  times,  as  lyceum  lectures, 
to  the  great  edification  of  the  hearers.  It  was  not 
designed  to  give  a  full  or  complete  account  even,  of 
the  early  history  of  Warwick,  but  only  so  much  of 
it  as  would  be  interesting  to  the  members  of  the 
lyceum  ;  and  even  now  it  is  not  thought  advisable 
by  the  publishing  committee  to  enlarge  upon  this 
branch  of  the  subject  by  attempting  to  supply  what 
may  have  been  omitted. 

From  this  brief  outline,  however,  we  have  some- 
thing more  than  a  glimpse,  or  a  mere  bird's-eye  view, 
of  our  forefathers.  We  have  a  tolerably  correct  ac- 
count of  their  characters  and  habits,  their  spirit  and 
enterprise,  their  sayings  and  doings,  their  joys  and 
rejoicings,  their  trials  and  hardships,  their  privations 
and  sufferings,  and  their  noble  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  education,  religion,  and  good  government.  The 
work   is   now  printed  just   as  it  was  left  by  its  ven- 


PREFACE.  5 

erated  author,  and  transcribed  by  his  brother,  Samuel 
Blake,  both  of  whom  are  now  numbered  with  the 
sainted  dead. 

The  committee  of  publication  were  requested  to 
write  out  and  complete  the  history,  so  well  begun  by 
Mr.  Blake,  and  to  bring  it  down  to  the  present  time. 
This,  at  first,  the  committee  thought  could  not  be 
well  done  without  making  it  appear  like  patchwork, 
—  like  new  cloth  on  an  old  garment.  But,  after  a 
little  reflection  upon  the  subject,  they  concluded  to 
make  the  attempt,  and  to  do  the  best  they  could  to 
complete  the  work,  and  to  make  it  match  with  the 
early  history  of  the  town.  From  the  town-records 
and  other  authentic  sources,  they  have  collected  all 
the  facts  and  materials  they  have  used  in  completing 
the  work.  With  what  success  they  have  executed  it, 
each  one  must  judge  for  himself  Though  the  whole 
committee  have  given  their  general  approbation  to  all 
that  has  been  added,  without  being  able  to  certify  to 
the  truth  of  every  particular  fact  or  statement,  yet 
each  member  is  particularly  responsible  for  the 
articles  which  stand  over  the  initials  of  his  name. 

It  is  hoped  the  book  will  be  acceptable  to  all.  By 
all  the  natives  of  the  town,  whether  living  here  or 
elsewhere,  it  will  be  regarded  with  high  favor,  as  a 
kind  of  godsend,  or  heirloom,  to  remind  them  of  their 
father  and  mothers,  their  brothers  and  sisters,  their 
kindred  and  friends.     And  to  all  others  it  will  show 


PREFACE. 


how  Strong,  in  the  breasts  of  all  the  natives  of  War- 
wick, are  the  veneration  and  love  of  their  birthplace, 
and  the  home  of  their  childhood.  What  shrine  is 
more  sacred,  what  spot  is  more  holy,  than  the  place 


of  one's  nativity  ? 

Warwick,  March  4,  1872. 


J.  G. 


INSTRUCTIONS   TO   THE   COMMITTEE. 

Warwick,  Dec.  26,  1871. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  town,  held  at  the 
Centre  Schoolhouse,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the 
propriety  of  securing  the  publication  of  the  Hon.  Jonathan 
Blake's  "  History  of  Warwick,"  and  of  taking  measures 
for  the  furtherance  of  said  object,  — 

Voted,  and  chose  Hervey  Barber,  Chairman  ;  Edw-ard  F. 
Mayo,  Secretary ;  Hervey  Barber,  John  Goldsbury,  Nahum 
Jones,  S.  P.  French,  and  E.  F.  Mayo,  a  Committee  to  take 
the  matter  into  consideration,  and  adopt  such  measures 
as  they  may  deem  expedient  to  accomplish  the  purpose. 

Voted,  To  adjourn  to  the  call  of  the  committee. 

^a7t.  3,  1872. — The  committee  met  according  to  ap- 
pointment, and  passed  the  following  measures  as  necessary 
for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  the  trust  committed  to 
their  charge :  — 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  committee  that 
Blake's  "History  of  Warwick"  be  brought  down  to  the 
present  time. 

Voted,  That  the  Rev.  John  Goldsbury  and  Deacon  Her- 
vey Barber  be  requested  to  take  the  matter  in  charge,  bring 
the  work  down  to  the  present  time,  and  prepare  the  same 
for  publication. 

Voted,  To  adjourn  without  day. 

Edward  F.  Mayo, 

Secretary. 


8 


INSTRUCTIONS   TO  THE  COMMITTEE. 


Article  19th  of  the  Annual  March  Meeting  was  as  fol- 
lows :  To  see  if  the  town  will  take  any  action  in  regard  to 
the  publication  of  Blake's  "  History  of  Warwick,"  and 
appropriate  money  for  the  same.. 

March  4,  1872,  on  Article  19th,  Voted,  That  the  com- 
mittee be  authorized  to  borrow  money  for  the  purpose. 

A.  S.  Atherton, 

2'owti  Clerk. 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK,  MASS. 


THERE  is  a  trait  inherent  in  the  character  of 
man  which  is  common  to  us  all,  —  every  one 
more  or  less  feels  its  influence  ;  and  that  is  a  wish  and 
a  desire  to  look  into  futurity,  —  to  see  and  to  know 
what  is  laid  up  for  us  in  the  vast  storehouse  (if  I  may 
be  allowed  the  expression)  of  coming  events.  And 
equally  curious,  and  equally  careful,  are  -we  all  to 
explore  the  past,  to  investigate,  to  search  out,  from 
whence  we  came,  and  where  we  originated.  The 
creation  of  the  world,  the  creation  of  man  and 
every  living  thing  that  exists,  whether  material  or 
immaterial,  are  the  constant  subjects  of  our  inquiry. 
And  it  is  just  the  same  with  regard  to  inanimate 
nature :  the  busy  and  inquisitive  mind  of  man,  with 
eagerness  and  assiduity,  searches  out  the  past,  the 
present,  and  the  future  ;  and,  where  the  faithful  page 
of  hii^tory   is   wanting,  conjecture    and    imagination 


Note.  —  This  was  written  for  the  amusement  and  information  of 
the  Warwick  Lyceum,  at  several  different  times,  in  183 1  and  1832,  by 
Jonathan  Blake,  jun.  Copied  from  the  original  manuscript  by  Samuel 
Blake. 


lO  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

supply  the  deficiency.  With  what  an  intense  interest 
do  we  seek  and  inquire  after  the  ruins  of  Pompeii, 
buried  for  such  a  lapse  of  ages  from  human  inspection 
by  the  eruption  of  Mount  Vesuvius,  that  the  memorial 
of  the  transaction  was  almost  lost  to  the  world  !  The 
meanest  articles  of  domestic  use  that  were  in  vogue 
in  those  ancient  times  are  more  valued  by  us,  and 
excite  greater  admiration,  than  the  most  costly  furni- 
ture in  modern  use.  The  brilliant  and  successful 
achievements  of  *  ChampoUion  in  deciphering  the 
hieroglyphics  on  the  monuments  and  temples,  and  in 
the  tombs,  of  Egypt,- excite  our  wonder,  and  fill  us 
with  surprise  ;  and  we  catch  at  every  word  and  sen- 
tence that  will  throw  light  on  the  history  of  centuries 
that  have  long  since  rolled  away. 

The  first  settlement  of  this  country  by  Europeans 
has  now  become  interesting  by  the  lapse  of  only  about 
two  hundred  years  ;  and  we  lament  the  inattention  and 
neglect  of  our  forefathers  in  not  recording  the  facts 
and  circumstances  of  the  times  in  which  they  lived  : 
many  events  are  already  lost  to  the  present  age  and 
to  posterity  forever.  But  let  us  rescue  from  oblivion 
what  now  remains  :  let  us  faithfully  record  everything 
that  our  fathers  have  done  within  our  knowledge,  and 
hand  it  down  to  our  children.  They  will  be  grate- 
ful, they  will  feel  thankful,  for  the  historical  legacy 
bequeathed  to  them  by  those  that  have  gone  before 
them.  The  uncivilized  natives  of  this  country  have 
set  us  an  example :  they  hand  down  from  father  to 
son  what  we  can  more  accurately  and  more  faithfully 
preserve  by  our  superior  knowledge,  and  acquaintance 
with  letters. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  II 

The  theme  of  our  inquiry  now  is  the  history  of 
Warwick  ;  and,  although  but  sixty-eight  years  have 
passed  away  since  it  was  incorporated  as  a  town, 
many  of  us  could  give  but  a  very  imperfect  account 
of  the  scenes  that  have  transpired,  and  none  of  us 
can  do  justice  to  the  subject.  Scarcely  three  ages 
have  elapsed  since  this  spot  *  on  which  we  are  now 
convened,  and  all  the  adjacent  hills  and  dales,  were  a 
howling  wilderness,  —  no  trace  of  improvement,  not  a 
vestige  of  the  works  of  art,  not  a  lonely  cultivated 
field,  not  a  solitary  dwelling  for  civilized  man  ; 
but,  on  the  contrary,  the  whole  surrounding  country 
was  covered,  far  and  wide,  with  an  almost  impene- 
trable and  illimitable  forest.  The  mind  unaccustomed 
to  reflection,  and  unacquainted  with  woods  and  wilds, 
can  have  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  solitude  and  gloom  of 
a  boundless  wilderness  ;  and  those  that  reflect  and 
consider,  and  fancy  to  themselves  that  they  can  realize 
how  it  looked,  how  it  appeared,  and  how  it  was, 
here  "in  olden  time,"  may  all  be  mistaken.  A  sullen 
gloom,  a  death-like  silence,  pervaded  the  land.  Now 
and  then,  perhaps,  a  wandering  native  might  traverse 
these  iron-bound  hills  in  the  pursuit  of  game,  or  in 
quest  of  his  enemies.  But  the  prowling  beasts  of 
prey  and  the  feathered  tribes  were  the  only  permanent 
settlers  in  these  then  desolate  regions.  But,  gloomy 
and  silent  and  desolate  as  it  was,  it  was  destined  by 
the  great  Author  of  our  existence  to  be  the  residence 
of  man  ;  and,  had  it  not  been  a  wilderness  covered  with 
timber,  man  could  not  have  subsisted  here.     We  are 

*  The  schoolhouse  on  the  common,  in  the  middle  of  the  town. 


12  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

indebted  to  this  wonderful  display  of  Infinite  wisdom 
for  all  the  means  of  enjoyment,  and  all  the  various 
blessings,  which  we  now  enjoy.  In  an  inland  country 
like  ours,  where,  nearly  one-half  of  the  year,  the  water 
is  congealed  to  ice,  and  the  ground  covered  with  snow, 
the  ingenuity  of  man  has  not  yet  discovered  the  means 
of  sustaining  human  beings  without  the^  aid  of  wood 
and  timber  ;  and  at  this  moment,  had  not  wood  and 
timber  been  found  here,  these  mountains  and  hills 
and  plains  would  have  been  as  devoid  of  the  habita- 
tions of  man  as  the  arid  and  scorched  plains  of  Africa, 
or  the  vast  and  extensive  wastes  in  the  open  country 
beyond  the  Mississippi  and  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

But  to  return  to  the  subject.     In  the   year  1735, 
June  10,  "at  a  great  and  general  court  or  assembly 
for  his  Majestie's  Province  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay," 
in  answer  to  the  petitions  of  Samuel  Newall,  Thomas 
Tileston,  Samuel  Gallop,  and  Abraham    Tilton,  and 
others  in  connection  with  each  of  them,  the  said  court 
voted  "  that  four  several  tracts  of  land  for  townships, 
each  of  the  content  of  six  miles  square,  be  laid  out  in 
suitable  places  in  the  western  parts  of  this  province  ; 
and  that  the  whole  of  each  town  be  laid  out  into  sixty- 
three  equal  shares,  one  share  of  which  to  be  for  the 
first  settled  minister,  one  for  the  use  of  the  ministry, 
and  one  for  schools  ;  and  that,  on  the  other  sixty  shares 
in  each  town,  there  be  sixty  settlers  admitted,  and,  in 
the  admission  thereof,  preference  to  be  given  to  the 
petitioners,  and  such  as  are  the  descendants  of  the 
officers  and  souldiers  who  served  in  the  expedition  to 
Canada,  in  the  year  1690"  (viz.,  one  of  the  said  town- 
ships to  each  of  the  aforesaid  persons,  with  such  others 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  13 

as  joined  with  them  in  the  petitions)  ;  ''  and  in  case 
there  be  not  a  sufficient  number  named  in  the  said 
four  petitions  as  were  either  officers  or  souldiers  in  the 
said  expedition,  or  the  descendants  of  such  as  were  lost, 
or  are  since  deceased,  so  as  to  make  sixty  settlers  for 
each  town,  that  then  such  others  as  were  in  the  expe- 
dition, or  their  descendants,  be  admitted  settlers  there, 
until  sixty  persons  in  each  township  be  admitted  ;  and 
inasmuch  as  the  officers  and  souldiers  in  that  expedition 
were  very  great  sufferers,  and  underwent  uncommon 
hardships,  Voted,  That  this  Province  be  at  the  sole 
charge  of  laying  (out)  the  said  four  townships,  and  of 
admitting  the  settlers.  That  the  settlers  or  grantees 
be,  and  hereby  are,  obliged  to  bring  forward  the  set- 
tlements of  the  said  four  townships  in  as  regular  and 
defencible  a  manner  as  the  situation  and  circuthstances 
will  admit  of,  —  and  that  in  the  following  manner 
(viz.)  :  that  they  be  on  the  granted  premises  respec- 
tively, and  have  each  of  them  an  house  eighteen  feet 
square,  and  seven  feet  stud,  at  the  least  ;  that  each 
right  or  grant  have  six  acres  of  land  brought  to,  and 
ploughed  or  brought  to  English  grass,  and  fitted  for 
mowing  ;  that  they  respectively  settle  in  each  planta- 
tion or  township  a  learned  orthodox  minister,  and 
build  a  convenient  meeting-house  for  the  public 
worship  of  God  in  each  township." 

These  conditions  to  be  complied  with  within  five 
years  from  the  confirmation  of  the  Platts.  Com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  lay  out  the  aforesaid  grants  ; 
and  bonds  were  required  of  each  settler,  under  the 
penalty  of  twenty  pounds  running  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  Province  ;   and  if  the  grantees,  or  any  of  the 


14 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


grantees,  fail  of  fulfilling  the  terms  aforesaid,  they 
forfeited  all  their  title  back  to  the  Province. 

Warwick  was  one  of  these  four  grants,  and  the  one 
petitioned  for  by  Samuel  Newall  and  others  ;  and  it 
was  at  first  called  the  plantation  of  "  Roxbiiry,  or 
Gardner  s  Canada^ 

In  June,  1736,  Samuel  Newall,  and  the  officers  and 
soldiers  in  the  company,  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Andrew  Gardner  in  the  Canada  expedition,  were 
authorized  by  the  General  Court  to  call  their  first 
meeting  of  the  proprietors.  Said  meeting  was  held 
at  the  house  of  James  Jarvis,  in  Roxbury,  Sept.  22, 
1736.  Capt.  Robert  Sharp  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  William  Dudley,  Esq.,  proprietors'  clerk. 

At  this  meeting,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Capt. 
Robert  Sharp,  Ensign  Samuel  Davis,  and  Mr.  Ger- 
shom  Davis,  was  chosen  to  procure  a  surveyor,  and 
lay  out  the  "  home  lots."  Each  lot  to  contain  not 
less  than  fifty  acres,  nor  more  than  sixty  acres ; 
and  each  proprietor  was  taxed  twenty-three  shillings 
to  defray  the  expense  of  laying  out  said  lots,  and 
paying  the  costs  incurred  in  petitioning  the  court, 
&c. 

It  is  not  now  known  at  what  time  these  home  lots 
were  laid  out ;  but  by  the  proprietors'  records,  on  the 
24th  of  October,  1737,  the  sixty  proprietors  by  name 
drew  for  their  respective  lots,  and  paid  twenty  shillings 
each  to  defray  the  expense.  The  home  lots,  as  they 
are  called,  began  to  be  numbered  in  the  south-west 
part  of  the  town,  and  were  laid  one  hundred  and  sixty 
rods  long,  and  fifty  rods  wide.  Mr.  Henry  Fuller 
owns  the  largest  part  of  lot  No.   i  ;    and  the  stones 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


15 


are  now  visible  where  they  built  their  first  camp, 
previous  to  surveying  these  lots. 

These  lots  continue  on  to  the  north  part  of  Chestnut 
Hill ;  then  several  of  them  were  located  south  of  the 
meeting-house,  where  Mr.  Elijah  Fisk  now  lives  ;  then 
north  of  the  meeting-house,  and  over  the  hill  to 
Medad  Pomroy's  ;  then,  beginning  at  Mr.  James  Ball's, 
they  continue  on  to  near  the  north  line  of  the  town. 

Thus  you  see  that  they  selected  the  hills,  or  high 
ridges  of  land,  for  the  first  settlements  ;  and  this  is 
one  reason  why  almost  all  our  roads  were  located  over 
the  hills,  instead  of  passing  through  the  valleys. 

The  boundaries  of  Warwick,  as  it  was  originally 
laid  out,  were  as  follows  :  on  the  west  line  by  North- 
field,  six  miles  and  thirty-eight  rods  ;  then  on  Erving's 
Grant,  two  miles  and  thirty-nine  rods  ;  making  whole 
west  line  eight  miles  and  seventy-seven  rods.  North, 
on  the  line  of  New  Hampshire,  four  miles  and  ninety- 
eight  rods  on  the  town  of  Winchester,  and  two  miles 
and  forty-two  rods  on  the  town  of  Richmond  ;  making 
the  whole  north  line  six  miles  and  one  hundred  and 
forty  rods  (it  was  originally  called  Arlington  and 
Province  land,  north).  East,  on  Province  land  (now 
Royalston)  and  Pequeag  (Athol),  on  Province  land 
six  miles  and  thirty  rods  ;  *  thence,  west  one  hundred 
and  seventy-nine  rods  to  the  north-west  corner  of 
Pequeag  ;  thence,  south  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  rods 
to  a  heap  of  stones  on  the  west  line  of  Pequeag,  and 
to  a  small  maple-tree  south  on  Erving's  Grant,  four 
miles  and  two  hundred  and  sixty-five  rods. 

*  Allowing  one  rod  in  thirty  for  sag  of  chain,  as  the  old  records  say 
was  customary. 


1 6  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

The  west  and  north  boundaries  of  Warwick  con- 
tinue the  same  as  originally  laid  out  ;  but  when  the 
town  of  Orange  was  incorporated,  which  took  off  the 
south-east  corner,  it  left  the  east  line  on  Royalston 
three  miles  and  one  hundred  and  two  rods  ;  Ihe  south 
line,  two  miles  and  one  hundred  and  eighteen  rods  ; 
and  the  south-east  is  a  zig-zag  line,  measuring  five 
miles  and  three  huixlred  and  sixteen  rods  on  the  town 
of  Orange. 

It  contained  twenty-three  thousand  acres  of  land, 
exclusive  of  the  Great  Farm  (so  called),  which  was  a 
grant  previously  made  of  sixteen  hundred  acres  to  one 
Johnson  and  his  company,  for  military  services  ;  and  is 
the  land  that  Mr.  Aaron  Bass,  Samuel  Williams,  Par- 
ley Leland,  Samuel  Fay,  Samuel  Moore,  and  others, 
now  own  ;  aiid  also  exclusive  of  the  Severance  and 
■  Field  Farms.  The  Severance  Farm  contained  two 
hundred  acres,  on  which  Jonathan  Blake,  and  Jona- 
than Blake,  jun.,  Bunyan  Penniman,,Asa  Ware,  and 
Stephen  Ball,  now  live,  and  each  of  them  owns  a  part 
of  it.  It  is  a  traditional  story,  that  it  was  granted  as 
a  reward  for  the  faithful  services  of  the  surveyor  who 
laid  out  this  part  of  the  country,  and  that  he  had  his 
choice  to  select  where  he  pleased.  The  Field  Farm 
never  belonged  to  Warwick,  but  made  a  notch  in  the 
south-east  corner.  It.  contained  four  hundred  acres  ; 
and  Deacon  Ward  and  Jessie  Warrick  now  live  on  a 
part  of  it. 

Late  in  the  fall  of  1737,  a  second  division  of  lots 
was  laid  out  under  the  direction  of  a  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Deacon  Davis  and  Ebenezer  Case,  who 
were  empowered  "  to  agree  with  one  or  more  survey- 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  17 

ors  and  chain-men  and  pilots."  These  second-division 
lots  were  called  farms,  and  were  to  contain  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  each,  if  the  land  would  hold  out : 
and  the  surveyors  were  directed  to  qualify  them ; 
viz ,  to  lay  them  out  according  to  the  quality  of 
the  land,  —  the  poorest  land  into  the  largest  lots,  and 
the  best  into  smaller  ones,  so  as  to  have  them  valued 
alike.  This  is  the  reason  why  the  second-division 
lots  are  so  unequal  in  size,  varying  from  one  to  two 
hundred  acres  :  for  instance,  on  "  Beech  Hill "  the  old 
original  lots  contain  but  about  one  hundred  acres 
each,  that  being  considered  the  best  of  the  land  ; 
while  the  broken  lots  contain  nearly,  or  quite  two 
hundred. 

I  have  had  occasion  to  mention  sectional  and  local 
names  in  different  parts  of  the  town,  some  of  which 
remain,  while  others  are  lost  or  forgotten.  It  may 
not  be  amiss  to  state  these  names  for  the  information 
of  those  that  may  come  after  us,  with  the  origin,  or 
probable  origin,  of  the  same.  **  Beech  Hill,"  above 
mentioned,  lies  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  where 
Mr.  Abijah  Eddy  and  Mr.  Calvin  Allen  now  live  ; 
and  the  name  originated  from  the  large  and  un- 
common growth  of  beech  timber  it  formerly  contained. 
"Chestnut  Hill"  was  so  named  for  the  same  reason, 
the  chestnut-trees  being  the  most  common  growth. 
It  is  located  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  where 
the  Messrs.  Francis  and  Jonas  Leonard,  Joseph  Wil- 
son, and  Capt.  William  Burnett,  and  others,  now  reside. 
"  Flour  Hill "  is  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  where 
Messrs.  Phinehas  Child,  John  Bowman,  and  others, 
live.     It  is  said  this  name  originated  from  the  follow- 


i8  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

ing  circumstance  :  The  inhabitants  that  first  settled 
this  part  of  the  town  were  in  the  habit  of  annually 
setting  fire  to  the  woods  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  for 
tne  purpose  of  producing  a  young  and  tender  growth 
of  trees  and  plants  for  the  subsistence  of  their  cattle, 
not  having  pastures  cleared  up  as  we  now  have.  Each 
one  would  put  a  bell  upon  the  leader  of  his  flock  or 
herd  or  horse,  for  the  purpose  of  finding  them  readily 
when  wanted.  Within  my  own  recollection,  the  hills 
to  the  west  of  us  were  burned  over  every  year  for  the 
purpose  above  stated  ^and  the  illumination  occasioned 
thereby,  for  several  successive  nights,  will  probably 
never  be  effaced  from  my  memory.  This  practice  had 
almost  destroyed  the  first  growth  of  timber  on  the 
spot  last  mentioned,  and  the  land  was  considered  of 
very  little  value.  Mr.  Solomon  Ager,  who  at  that 
time  was  not  considered  a  prophet  nor  the  son  of  a 
prophet,  had  the  hardihood  to  risk  his  all  (as  he  had 
nothing  to  lose)  by  settling  on  this  open  tract  of  land. 
Some  of  his  wiser  neighbors  attempting  to  ridicule 
him  for  selecting  so  barren  a  spot  of  land  to  get  his 
living  on,  the  old  man  replied,  that  *'it  would  one 
day  be  the  Flour  of  Warwick  ;  "  and  ever  after  it  has 
been  called  "  Flour  Hill." 

The  east  part  of  the  town  towards  Royalston, 
where  Deacon  Ebenezer  Stearns,  Mr.  James  Pierce, 
and  others,  live,  probably  from  its  being  so  rough  and 
uneven,  has  sarcastically  been  called  "  Moose  Plain." 
The  north  part  of  the  town,  where  Messrs.  Elisha 
Rich,  David  Ball,  Amory  Gale,  and  Justus  Russell, 
Esqs.,  reside,  is  called  "  the  Brook,"  originating  from  the 
stream  of  water  that  takes  its  rise   near  the  middle  of 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  19 

the  town,  and  empties  into  the  Ashuelot  River,  at 
Winchester,  N.H.,  being  called  "Miry  Brook."  In 
the  south  part  of  the  town,  the  land  lying  south  of 
Morse's  Pond  was  formerly  called  "  Skunks  Baron  :  " 
farther  south,  where  Jonathan  Shepardson  lives,  was 
called  '*  Padanaram."  The  first  name  originated  from 
the  sterility  of  the  soil,  and  the  last  from  its  being  a 
plain,  level  spot.  What  is  now  the  south-cast  corner 
of  the  town,  where  Messrs.  Reuben  Wheaton  and 
Andrew  Burnett  live,  was  called  *'  Peaked  End,"  from 
the  circumstance  of  there  being  no  settled  spot  near 
them,  they  being  considered  the  end  of  the  settle- 
ment. 

The  tv.-o  natural  ponds  obtained  their  names  from 
the  owners  of  the  soil  near  them ;  viz.,  "  Pomeroy's 
Pond,"  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  Morse's 
Pond,"  a  little  farther  to  the  south-west.  The  moun- 
tain near  the  middle  of  the  town  was  called  "  Mount 
Grace,"  in  consequence  of  a  child  of  Mrs.  Rowland- 
son's,  whose  name  was  "  Grace,"  being  buried  some- 
where near  the  foot  of  it.  Mrs.  Rowlandson,  with  her 
child,  was  taken  captive  by  the  Indians  at  Lancaster 
when  that  town  was  destroyed  and  sacked  and  burned. 
After  the  destruction  of  the  town,  the  Indians  pro- 
ceeded on  towards  Canada  with  their  captives ;  and 
this  child  died  soon  after  they  crossed  "  Miller's  River," 
ten  miles  from  Warwick ;  and  Mrs.  Rowlandson 
brought  it  in  her  arms,  until  she  arrived  near  this 
mountain,  where,  compelled  by  fatigue,  she  reluctantly 
consigned  it  to  the  earth.* 

*  This  was  an  early  tradition,  and  then  believed  to  be  true ;  but  it 
is  not  authenticated  in  Mrs.  Rowlandson's  history  of  her  captivity. 


20  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

The  brook  that  takes  its  rise  near  the  west  side  of 
this  mountain  is  also  called  "  Grace  Brook,"  until  it 
reaches  "  Morse's  Pond  ;  "  and  then  it  takes  the  name 
of  "  Morse's  Brook."  The  brook  that  runs  near  Wil- 
liam Hastings,  J^mes  Ball,  and  through  Caleb  Mayo, 
Esq.'s,  meadow,  was  formerly  called  "  Black  Brook  :  " 
farther  south  it  takes  the  name  of  "  Scott's  Brook." 
The  brook  that  runs  near  James  Pierce's  house  is 
called  "  TuUy  Brook  : "  the  name  is  derived  from  Tully 
River,  this  brook  being  the  source  of  West  Tully,.  as 
it  is  called  ;  and  East  and  West  Tully  unite,  and  empty 
into  Miller'i  River,  in  Athol.  The  north-east  part  of 
Warwick,  through  which  this  brook  passes,  is  called 
the  "  Kelton  Corner.*'  The  name  was  derived  from 
this  circumstance :  one  Mr.  Enoch  Kelton,  an  early 
settler  in  the  town,  located  himself  on  the  spot  where 
Peter  Sandin  now  lives,  and  afterwards  settled  four  or 
five  of  his  sons  around  him,  and  lived  in  this  patri- 
archal manner  a  considerable  number  of  years. 

Mr.  Kelton  was  a  land-surveyor :  although  his  ac- 
quired attainments  were  rather  limited,  he  was  a  good 
practical  workman  ;  the  monuments  that  he  erected 
bear  ample  testimony  to  that  fact,  even  up  to  the 
present  time. 

His  family  afflictions,  in  one  instance  in  particu- 
lar, were  uncommonly  severe  :  his  wife,  for  fifty  long 
years  before  her  death,  was  confined  day  and  night  to 
her  bed. 

-  The  north-east  lobe  of  Mount  Grace  has  been 
called  by  a  local  name :  one  of  the  first  settlers,  Mr. 
Samuel  Bennett,  set  down  on  home-lot  No.  40.  This 
lot  lies  on  the  side  hill,  east  of  the  brook,  sloping 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  21 

towards  Mount  Grace,  below  Abijah  Fisher's  house  : 
the  remains  of  the  cellar,  and  a  few  apple-trees,  are 
still  witnesses  of  the  •  exact  spot.  This  Mr.  Bennett 
said  that  one  morning,  as  he  stood  in  his  door  (which, 
by  the  way,  faced  this  part  of  the  mountain),  he  dis- 
covered a  deer  bounding  along  on  the  top  of  the 
Knob  :  he  said  he  stepped  back,  and  took  down  his 
gun,  and  fired,  "and  dropped  the  buck  dead  on  the 
spot."  His  incredulous  neighbors,  amused  with  the 
idea  of  his  killing  a  deer  across  the  deep  ravine,  more 
than  half  a  mile  wide,  that  intervened  between  his 
house  and  the  top  of  the  hill  in  questior^  ever  after- 
wards called  it  '*  Bennett's  Knob." 

This  same  Mr.  Bennett  and  wife  afterwards  lived 
where  Mr.  Aaron  Bass  now  Uves  ;  and  Mrs.  Bennett 
related  a  story,  that,  perhaps,  is  a  little  colored  with  the 
marvellous.  The  dwellings  in  those  days  were  not 
exactly  as  they  are  at  the  present.  Many  of  them 
were  built  with  logs  ;  and  those  that  were  framed,  as 
well  as  those  of  logs,  generally  were,  one  end  of  them, 
principally  occupied  by  the  chimney,  a  huge  mass  of 
stones  piled  up  as  a  back  for  the  fireplace  ;  and  not 
unfrequently  all  that  could  be  called  a  chimney  was 
a  hole  in  the  top  of  the  house  to  let  out  the  smoke. 
Eight  or  ten  feet  was  a  fireplace  of  moderate  size  in 
those  days  ;  and  some  actually  used  a  horse  to  haul  in 
their  back-logs.  The  house  that  our  good  old  progen- 
itors lived  in  was  not  out  of  the  fashion.  The  stones 
of  the  chimney  on  either  side,  however,  were  not 
exactly  fitted  to  the  wooden  part  of  the  building,  or 
they  had  settled  away,  so  that  there  was  a  large  crack 
at  the  side  of  the  jambs,  where  they  could  see  out. 


22  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Our  heroine  said  she  was  sitting  one  evening, 
spinning  on  a  foot-wheel,  and,  happening  to  look  round 
to  the  side  of  the  fire-place,  she  saw  a  bear  looking  in 
at  the  crack,  —  she  plainly  saw  his  eyes  glisten.  Bruin, 
after  satisfying  his  curiosity,  cleared  for  the  woods. 

I  have  a  story  to  relate  of  the  temerity  of  one  of 
our  first  settlers.  It  was  Mr.  David  Gale,  father  of 
the  present  David  Gale,  sen. :  as  he  was  chopping  in 
the  woods,  near  where  the  present  David  Gale  now 
lives,  with  his  son,  a  small  lad,  he  discovered  a  mon- 
strous animal  in  the  woods  ;  it  was  unlike  any  crea- 
ture he  had^before  seen.  The  wild  beast,  on  being  dis- 
covered, had  immediate  recourse  to  the  top  of  a  tree. 
Mr.  Gale,  as  if  unconscious  of  danger,  left  his  little 
boy  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  ferocious  animal, 
with  a  charge  to  keen  him  on  the  tree  :  he  went  to  his 
house,  loaded  his  gun,  returned  to-the  place,  and  shot 
the  animal,  which  proved  to  be  nothing  less  than  a 
full-grown  catamount  ;  and  that  was  the  only  one 
that  was  ever  killed  in  Warwick. 


1738. 

In  the  year  1738  a  committee  of  the  proprietors 
was  appointed  to  find  out  the  nearest  route  from  Rox- 
bury  to  this  new  tract  of  country;  and  a  vote  was 
passed,  taxing  each  of  the  sixty  proprietors,  to  raise 
the  sum  of  six  pounds  apiece,  as  a  bounty  to  encour- 
age the  first  ten  proprietors  that  shall  settle,  and 
comply  with  the  conditions  before  mentioned  by 
actually  moving  on,  and  building  a  house,  &c. 


HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 


1740. 


23 


In  1740  Deacon  Davis  was  empowered  to  mark 
out  a  way  through  Pequeage  (now  Athol),  and  the 
said  plantation,  to  Northfield.  It  is  not  now  known 
exactly  where  this  way  was  cleared  out ;  but  it  is  conjec- 
tured that  it  passed  through  the  easterly  and  northerly 
part  of  the  town,  and  went  into  Northfield,  near, 
where  the  old  North-county  road  was  afterwards  laid. 

The  old  records  are  silent,  as  to  the  proceedings  of 
the  proprietors  of  this  new  town,  for  about  eight  years  ; 
but  it  may  be  inferred  from  the  prior  proceedings,  that 
the  inducements  to  commence  the  settlement  were  not 
sufficient  to  allure  the  wealthy  on  the  one  hand,  or  to 
enable  the  poor  on  the  other,  to  transport  themselves 
and  their  families  to  this  then  unbroken  forest,  without 
roads,  without  means  of  conveyance,  and  without  any 
thing  to  subsist  on  after  their  arrival. 


1749. 

In  the  year  1749  the  bounty  was  increased  to  twen- 
ty pounds  to  each  individual,  as  an  inducement  to 
settle,  —  ten  pounds  in  advance,  five  pounds  in  one 
year,  and  five  pounds  more  in  two  years  after  settle- 
ment. 

1751. 

In  this  year  the  proprietors  voted  to  make  up  the 
bounty  to  thirty  pounds  (old  tenor),  or  the  value 
thereof  in  silver. 


24 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


1753- 


This  year  fifty  pounds  was  voted  to  defray  the 
expense  of  building  a  sawmill ;  and  a  spot  was  to  be 
selected  where  it  would  accommodate  the  proprietors  ; 
and,  at  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  "  Gardner's 
Canada"  (as  this  settlement  was  still  called),  it  was 
voted,  "  to  choose  a  committee  to  lay  out  and  clear  a 
road  to  Pequeage  near  the  pond,  south-eastwardly  from 
the  way  proposed  and  marked  to  be  laid  out  towards 
Royalston  from  Pequeage  to  the  sawmill  ;  and  to  come 
into  the  way  marked  out  to  go  from  Royalshire  to 
Northfield."  And  they  chose  a  committee  to  clear 
out  said  road.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  committee 
for  building  the  meeting-house  be  desired  to  proceed 
to  accomplish  that  business :  said  house  to  be  thirty- 
five  feet  long,  and  thirty  feet  wide,  with  nineteen-foot 
posts. 

Said  committee  was  also  directed  to  appoint  the  spot 
where  the  meeting-house  was  to  stand.  The  place 
selected  by  this  committee  to  build  said  house  on, 
and  where  the  timber  was  collected  and  framed,  was 
about  forty  or  fifty  rods  south  of  Mr.  Elijah  Fisk's 
house  ;  and  it  was  subsequently  moved  and  raised 
near  where  the  present  meeting-house  now  stands,  for 
reasons  hereafter  to  be  related. 


1754. 

On  the  7th  of  August  this  year,  the  committee  for 
building  made  a  report  that  Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Perry 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  25 

were  willing  to  undertake  said  building,  agreeable  to 
the  proposed  dimensions,  for  twenty-six  pounds, 
thirteen  shillings,  and  fourpence,  the  proprietors  to 
defray  the  expense  of  procuring  the  slitwork  on  the 
spot ;  and  the  said  carpenters  would  make  the  said 
frame  good,  and  in  all  respects  workmanlike,  and  have 
it  ready  to  raise  by  the  first  day  of  October  next ;  or 
they  would  work  by  the  day,  and  get  it  done  by  that 
time,  at  four  shillings  per  day.  It  was  voted  by  the 
proprietors  that  they  should  do  it  by  the  "great"  for 
the  sum  proposed,  the  committee  to  defray  the  expense 
of  the  raising  entertainment. 


1755- 

The  committee  for  building  the  sawmill  reported, 
on  the  5  th  of  March,  that  Mr.  Ebenezer  Locke,  who 
had  undertaken  to  build  the  mill  in  said  township, 
informed  them  that  some  time  in  September  last  he 
had  been  at  said  township  in  order  to  finish  said  mill, 
and  thought  he  should  have  finished  the  work  in  a 
little  time  ;  but  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  Northfield 
had  advised  him  to  leave  the  place  if  he  had  any 
regard  for  his  life  ;  for  the  Indians  had  done  mis- 
chief in  No.  4,*  and  in  divers  other  places  ;  and  he 
had  left  it  unfinished.  The  committee  that  was  ap- 
pointed to  superintend  the.  building  of  the  meeting- 
house also  reported  that  the  contractors  had  not 
performed  their  work  ;  but  had  "  only  cut  ten  or  twenty 
trees  towards  the  frame."     After  considerable  delay 

*  Now  Charlestown,  N.H. 


26  HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 

and  perplexity  about  the  business,  and  several  times 
lengthening  the  contract  (or  the  time  for  performing 
the  conditions  of  it),  it  was  reported  that  the  frame  of 
the  meeting-house  was  ready  to  be  raised,  but  that  a 
dispute  had  arisen  as  to  the  spot  where  it  should 
stand. 

1756. 

On  the  loth  of  March  this  year,  it  was  voted  to 
alter  the  spot  where  the  meeting-house  should  stand, 
and  fix  it  not  exceeding  one  hundred  and  sixty  rods 
to  the  north-east,  where  the  road  from  Royalshire  to 
Northfield  was  intersected  by  the  road  to  the  Pond. 
The  meeting-house  was  raised  by  invitation  of  hands 
from  Northfield  and  the  adjacent  settlements,  on  the 
twenty-eighth  day  of  April,  1756. 

In  September  this  year,  the  proprietors  having  pre- 
viously agreed  to  prosecute  Ebenezer  Locke  on  his 
bond  for  not  erecting  the  sawmill,  agreed  to  suspend 
the  same  on  hearing  his  excuse.  He  stated  that  he 
had  been  retarded  by  reason  of  the  war,  and  driven  off, 
when  at  work  on  the  premises,  by  the  enemy's  ap- 
proaching near  said  township,  and  killing  divers 
persons,  and  capturing  others  ;  and  afterwards,  when 
he  had  been  at  the  charge  to  get  up  to  the  work  for 
the  aforesaid  purpose,  the  enemy  made  one  other 
sally,  and  had  killed  Grout,  Howe,  and  Garfield,  and 
carried  others  into  captivity.  Sickness  in  his  family, 
and  burying  his  daughter,  are  among  his  excuses,  and 
also  having  his  men  enlisted  into  his  Majesty's  ser- 
vice. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  27 

We  can  have  but  a  very  faint  idea  of  tlie  sufferings 
and  hardships  which  our  predecessors  endured  in 
their  first  attempt  to  settle  this  part  of  the  country  : 
the  lurking,  savage  foe,  at  all  times  on  the  alert,  ready 
to  take  them  by  surprise,  to  kill  them,  and  to  destroy 
the  labor  of  their  hands  ;  the  wild  beasts  to  haunt 
around  their  dwellings,  and  to  tear  and  mangle  their 
unguarded  flocks  ;  the  scanty  means  of  procuring  a 
subsistence,  —  hunger,  poverty,  and  want  staring  them 
full  in  the  face.  It  needed  hearts  of  oak  to  success- 
fully repel  these  varied  bufifetings  of  fortune  ;  and 
hearts  of  oak  they  verily  had.  How  would  many  of 
the  puny  sons  of  indolence  and  ease  at  the  present 
day  have  conducted,  had  they  been  placed  undei;  such 
trying  circumstances  ?  They  would  have  given  up 
the  ghost  in  a  strange  land. 


^        1757- 

On  the  sixth  day  of  July,  this  year,  eight  pounds 
was  voted  to  be  allowed  out  of  the  treasury  of  the 
proprietors,  "to  fortify  Mr.  Samuel  Scott's  house,  by 
making  a  good  picketed  fort  encompassing  the  same, 
four  rods  square,  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants." 
This  fort,  which  was  the  only  one  ever  built  in  War- 
wick, was  on  land  now  owned  by  the  Rev.  John  Golds- 
bury,  and  lies  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  that 
leads  from  Widow  Jerusha  Goldsbury's  to  William 
Hastings's  ;  and  from  this  circumstance  this  piece  of 
land  has  obtained  the  name  of  the  "  Old  Fort,"  or  the 
Fort  Lot.  The  proprietors  also  voted  four  pounds  to 
enclose  the  meetinsr-house. 


28  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


1759. 


Although  four  pounds  was  voted  in  1757  to  en- 
close the  meeting-house,  the  frame  was  still  standing 
at  this  date  uncovered.  But  the  sawmill,  according  to 
the  old  records,  "  was  got  a-going,"  so  that  the  first 
sawmill  that  started  in  this  town  was  set  a-going 
seventy-two  years  ago.  In  May,  this  year,  twenty-six 
pounds,  thirteen  shillings,  and  four  pence  was  voted 
by  the  proprietors  to  build  a  gristmill  ;  and  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Col.  Joseph  Williams,  Mr.  Joseph 
Ma}  o,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Scott,  was  chosen,  "  to  pitch 
on  a  suitable  spot  to  build  it  on." 

1760. 

On  May  21,  1760,  it  was  voted  "to  raise  the  sum 
of  eighteen  pounds,  lawful  money,  to  defray  the 
charge  of  some  suitable  orthodox  minister's  preaching 
upon  probation  within  said  township  during  the  sum- 
mer season  :  "  and  it  is  presumed  that  the  Rev.  Lem- 
uel Hedge  was  the  candidate  that  preached  here  that 
summer ;  for,  on  the  24th  of  September,  they  voted 
a  hundred  and  forty-nine  pounds,  to  be  paid  as 
follows :  eighty  pounds  for  Mr.  Hedge's  settlement, 
and  sixty  pounds  for  his  first  year's  salary,  and  nine 
pounds  for  defraying  the  expense  of  his  ordination. 

Thus  you  see  that  the  institutions  of  religion  and 
morality,  were  not  neglected  by  our  predecessors. 
Although  poor,  and  hard  pressed  in  their  temporal 
affairs,  they  cheerfully  devoted  a  part  of  it  for  the 
promotion  of  Christianity  ;  for  they  further  voted  that 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK. 


29 


they  would  agree  to  pay  sixty  pounds  a  year  for  five 
years  to  come,  until  some  other  suitable  provision  for 
Mr.  Hedge's  support  should  be  made,  provided  he 
settled  with  them.  A  committee  was  chosen,  consisting 
of  Capt.  David  Ayrcs,  Moses  Evans,  Israel  Olmstead, 
Ebenezer  Prescott,  and  Amzi  Doolittle,  "  to  treat  with 
Mr.  Hedge  respecting  his  settlement  here."  At  the 
same  meeting  they  chose  the  same  committee,  with 
the  addition  of  Mr.  Joshua  Bailey,  to  lay  out  a  tract 
of  land  forty  rods  square  around  the  meeting-house 
in  said  township,  for  a  burying-place,  training-field, 
and  other  public  uses.  This  tract  is  what  we  now 
call  the  connnon,  and  contains  ten  acres  of  land  :  the 
name  doubtless  originated  from  its  being  laid  out  of 
what  was  then  called  common  land  ;  viz.,  lands  not 
surveyed  and  divided  among  the  sixty  original  proprie- 
tors. Thus,  without  detriment  to  themselves,  or  any 
sacrifice  of  property  to  be  by  them  felt  at  the  time, 
they  secured  to  the  public  a  small  patrimony,  to  be 
enjoyed  by  us  and  all  succeeding  generations  that 
may  come  after  us.  And  further  still,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  their  minister,  provided  he  settled  with 
them,  they  voted  that  he  might  have  the  liberty  to  lay 
out  a  hundred  acres  of  land  near  the  meeting-house, 
in  one  piece,  out  of  any  of  the  common  lands,  to  be 
laid  in  regular  form,*in  lieu  of  the  hundred  acres  in 
the  after-division  (or  second  division)  of  land,  that 
would  fall  to  the  minister's  right.  Subsequently  the 
hundred  acres  where  Mr.  Stephen  Reed  now  lives 
were  laid  out  to  Mr.  Hedge.  Messrs.  James  Golds- 
bury,  Asa  Wheeler,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith  (our  present 
pastor),  William  Cobb,  Esq.,  Col.  Lemuel  Wheelock, 
3* 


30 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


and  Samuel  P.  Damon,  are  all  of  them  located  on 
this  hundred-acre  lot,  although  it  runs  southerly  to 
Pomeroy's  Pond.  The  committee  chosen  to  treat 
with  Mr.  Hedge  respecting  his  settlement  here  in  the 
gospel  ministry  no  doubt  performed  their  duty ;  for 
we  find  by  the  old  records  Mr.  Hedge's  answer  to 
their  call,  as  follows  :  — 


To  the  Committee  of  the  Proprietors  of  Roxbury  Canada  (so 
called)  chosen  to  treat  with  me  respecting  my  settling  in  said 
township. 

Gentlemen,  —  Whereas  the  proprietors  of  Roxbury 
Canada  (so  called),  at  their  meeting  on  the  24th  of 
September,  1760,  voted  certain  sums  of  money  for  a  settle- 
ment and  s'alary,  and  likewise  granted  me  liberty  of  laying 
out  one  hundred  acres  of  land  near  the  meeting-house  in 
said  place  (as  per  their  vote  may  appear),  in  case  I  would 
settle  there  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  the  in- 
habitants of  said  township  having  by  subscription  made  an 
addition  to  my  settlement,  and  engage  to  find  me  annually 
thirty-five  cords  of  wood,  I  have  taken  the  matter  into 
serious  consideraton,  and  hereby  inform  you  that  I  accept 
of  this  invitation  to  settle  in  this  place. 

Lemuel  Hedge. 


176 


On  Nov.  12,  of  this  year,  the  proprietors  were  for 
the  first  time  notified  to  meet  in  the  meeting-house, 
in  said  township,  to  transact  their  business  (having 
always   met   in    Roxbury   before   this    time).     There 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  31 

were  at  that  time  thirty-seven  settlers  or  families 
located  on  the  first  division  of  lots.  Mr.  Joseph  Perry 
lived  where  Mr.  Joseph  Willson  now  lives  ;  George 
Robbins  where  Alexander  Blake,  Ebenezer  Davis 
where  the  widow  Drake,  Edward  Allen  where  Capt. 
John  Stearns,  Thomas  Rich  where  Medad  Pomeroy, 
Barnabas  Russell  where  James  Ball,  Moses  Leonard 
where  Eliphaz  Gould,  and  David  Ayres  and  David 
Ayres,  jun.,  where  Miss  Fanny  Simonds  now  lives. 

About  this  time  a  gristmill  was  built  on  Black 
Brook,  where  the  first  sawmill  also  stood :  the  land  is 
now  owned  by  Capt.  James  Goldsbury  ;  and  said  mills 
stood  a  little  west  of  William  Hastings's  dwelling- 
house,  south  of  the  road  that  leads  to  Samuel  Golds- 
bury's  from  said  Hastings's.  In  this  early  stage  of 
the  settlement,  and  until  the  gristmill  was  built,  the 
hardy  and  industrious  ''forlorn  hope''  of  Warwick  suf- 
fered severely  for  the  want  of  accommodations  which 
we  now  enjoy  :  they  were  obliged  to  go  a  great  dis- 
tance out  of  the  settlement  to  get  their  grain  ground; 
and  perhaps  many  times  that  was  not  the  worst  part 
of  it,  for  many  of  them  were  poor,  and  had  but  little 
grain  to  grind.  It  was  frequently  the  case  that  they 
had  to  go  miles  on  foot  to  Northfield,  or  Athol,  or 
farther  still,  to  buy  a  peck  of  corn  and  get  it  ground, 
and  then  to  bring  it  home  on  their  backs.  Nor  was 
this  all ;  for  there  were  instances  of  their  going  to 
Northfield  to  buy  hay,  and  bringing  it  home  in  the 
same  way,  to  save  their  cattle  alive.  It  was  thought 
in  those  days,  that,  if  their  hay  lasted  until  the  ist 
of  March,  they  could  get  their  cattle  through  the 
winter. 


32  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Seventy-two  pounds  was  voted,  this  year,  to  finish 
the  meeting-house  ;  and  it  was  agreed  to  build  a  pew 
on  one  side  or  the  other  of  the  pulpit,  for  Mr.  Hedge, 
he  being  permitted  to  choose  the  side. 

To  show  how  valuable  the  land  was  in  this  town 
at  this  time,  it  appears  that  lot  No.  7,  and  all  the  after- 
rights  in  said  town,  was  sold  at  auction  for^j.  5^-.  8^/., 
which  was  only  about  four  cents  and  three  mills  per 
acre  ;  but  such  sales  were  of  rare  occurrence,  and 
perhaps  were  never  known  after. 

Messrs.  Elisha  Rich,  George  Robbins,  James  Ball, 
and  Asa  Robbins  were  chosen  a  committee  to  lay  out 
the  common  lands  in  said  township  into  two  divisions, 
the  first  to  contain  seventy-five  acre  lots,  and  the 
other  to  be  left  discretionary  with  the  committee  ;  and 
they  accordingly  laid  out  the  last  into  sixty-six  acre 
lots.  These  two  divisions  constitute  what  we  call  the 
third  and  fourth  divisions  of  lands  in  this  town.  The 
third-division  lots  contain  seventy-five  acres,  and  the 
fourth  sixty-six  acres,  each. 

1762. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  December,  1762,  it 
was  voted  that  the  proprietors  join  with  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  plantation,  to  pe'^ition  the  General  Court 
to  be  incorporated  into  a  town.  Col.  Joseph  Williams 
and  Capt.  Caleb  Dana  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
join  with  said  inhabitants  in  the  petition. 

1763. 

On    the    seventeenth  day   of  February,   1763,  this 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


33 


tract   of  country  was   incorporated   by   the    General 
Court  as  a  town,  by  the  name  of  Warzvick. 

How  the  name  originated  is  not  now  known  ;  but 
probably  from  Warwick  in  England,  or  from  the 
famous  "  Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick." 

We  have  now  arrived  at  the  time,  you  will  probably 
say,  that  I  ought  to  have  commenced  my  remarks,  or 
where  I  might  have  begun  with  propriety  the  history 
of  the  town.  From  this  period  down  to  the  present 
time  we  have  a  tolerably  regular  and  legible  record 
of  most  of  the  public  proceedings  of  the  town.  I 
shall  not  follow  the  records,  by  noting  every  little 
local  transaction  that  has  happened  in  our  public  or 
private  affairs,  but  shall  select  and  abridge  a  few  ot 
the  most  interesting  events,  for  our  mutual  instruc- 
tion, and  for  the  benefit  of  posterity. 

When  we  wish  to  make  an  inquiry  about  any  par- 
ticular place  or  thing,  the  first  question  that  suggests 
itself  to  our  mind  is,  where,  when,  or  how,  did  it 
ha})pen  or  begin?  How,  when,  and  where  the  muni- 
cipal proceedings  of  Warwick  originated,  shall  be  our 
first  subject  of  inquiry. 

In  the  third  year  of  his  Majesty's  reign,  Seth  Field, 
Esq.,  of  Northfield,  by  order  of  the  General  Court, 
issued  a  warrant  to  James  Ball  of  Warwick,  to  notify 
the  inhabitants  of  said  town  to  attend  the  first  town- 
meeting.  Said  meeting  was  directed  to  be  warned 
by  posting  up  a  notification  in  some  public  place  in 
said  township,  fourteen  days  before  the  time  of  hold- 
ing the  same.  This  meeting  was  convened  the  ninth 
day  of  May,  A.D.  1763,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing.    Seth  Field,  Esq.,  acted  as  moderator  ;  James  Ball 


34  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

was  chosen  clerk  ;  Moses  Evans,  Jeduthan  Morse,  and 
James  Ball,  selectmen  and  assessors  ;  Amzi  Doolittle, 
treasurer ;  Samuel  Ball,  constable  ;  James  Ball,  col- 
lector ;  Silas  Town  and  Joshua  Bailey,  wardens  ; 
Charles  Wood  and  Joseph  ,  tything-men  ;  Is- 
rael Olmsted  and  Moses  Leonard,  fence-viewers; 
Moses  Leonard,  Joseph  Lawrence,  and  Joseph  Good- 
ell,  hog-reeves  ;  David  Barrett,  pound-keeper  :  Eben- 
ezer  Davis,  field-driver ;  Amos  Marsh  and  Moses 
Leonard,  deer-reeves  ;  Moses  Evans,  culler  of  staves, 
shingles,  and  clapboards ;  James  Ball,  sealer  of 
weights  and  measures ;  Moses  Leonard,  sealer  of 
leather.  It  was  voted  that  hogs  may  go  at  large  on 
the  common. 

On  the  1 6th  of  June  following,  the  second  town- 
meeting  was  held ;  and  they  voted  to  Esq.  Paine 
twenty  shillings  for  services  at  the  General  Court  in 
getting  the  town  incorporated  ;  and  Mr.  James  Ball 
was  to  pay  him  the  money,  and  return  the  town's 
thanks.  Voted  twenty  pounds  for  highways,  and 
started  the  work  at  four  shiUings  per  day  for  a  man, 
and  two  shillings  for  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  one  shilling 
for  a  cart  or  plough.  They  also  voted  that  the  select- 
men should  draw  a  petition  to  the  General  Court,  that 
the  westerly  part  of  the  county  of  Worcester,  and  the 
easterly  part  of  the  county  of  Hampshire,  may  be  set 
off,  and  erected  into  a  distinct  and  separate  county. 

At  this  meeting,  the  committee  chosen  for  the  pur- 
pose of  treating  with  Mr.  Hedge  respecting  his  future 
support  was  directed  to  condense  the  proposals  for- 
merly made  into  the  form  of  an  agreement,  and  to 
have  it  recorded  on  the  town-book. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  35 

Which  agreement  was  as  follows  :  viz.,  "  That  the 
town  will  pay  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hedge  a  salary  of  sixty 
pounds  until  such  time  as  there  shall  be  eighty  set- 
tled families  in  said  town  ;  and  the  salary  to  rise  as  the 
famihes  increase,  allowing  thirteen  shillings  and  four- 
pence  to  each  family  :  so  that  when  there  should  be 
ninety  settled  families  the  salary  would  amount  to 
sixty-six  pounds,  thirteen  shillings,  and  fourpence  ; 
and  after  that,  allowing  four  shillings  and  fivepence 
to  a  family,  when  they  had  increased  to  one  hundred 
and  fifty  families,  his  salary  should  be  eighty  pounds, 
to  be  paid  in  lawful  silver  money,  at  six  shillings  and 
eightpence  per  ounce  ;  and,  annually,  thirty  cords  of 
wood,  cut  eight  feet  long,  delivered  at  his  door."  Mr. 
Hedge  acknowledged  these  proposals  handsome  and 
generous,  and  put  his  signature  to  them  July  4, 
1763.  Nov.  28,  the  same  year,  James  Ball,  Israel 
Olmsted,  and  Silas  Town  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  finish  the  meeting-house.  June  15,  this 
year,  the  selectmen  laid  out  the  first  town-road  (on 
record).  They  began  at  or  near  the  line  of  Rich- 
mond, N.H.,  near  where  Mr.  Caleb  Weeks  now  lives, 
and  laid  said  road  southerly,  by  Thomas  Mallard's, 
Dea.  Samuel  Ball's,  and  Capt.  Josiah  Proctor's,  to  Lot 
No.  5  I,  in  the  second  division,  to  Samuel  Ball's  house  ; 
said  road  to  be  three  rods  wide  ;  and  another  road,  two 
rods  wide,  by  Moses  Leonard's  house  (now  Eliphaz 
Gould's)  ;  viz.,  within  one  rod  of  it,  to  the  county- 
road. 

1764. 
May  30,  of  this    year,   there    is    a   charge    on   the 


36 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


town-book  of  fifteen  shillings,  for  James  Ball,  Mr. 
Evans,  and  Mr.  Nourse  taking  the  invoice,  and  Mr. 
Morse  making  the  highway-tax.  We  should  think 
that  this  charge  was  not  extravagant.  This  year  the 
town  accepted  of  a  road,  laid  from  the  common,  south- 
erly by  Elijah  Fisk's,  and  where  Stephen  Johnson 
lately  lived,  to  Morse's  Pond  and  Locke's  Mills,  where 
Mr.  Francis  Leonard's  sawmill  now  is  :  said  road  to 
be  three  rods  wide.  Also  a  road  beginning  at  the 
north-west  corner  of  Benjamin  Conant's  house,  which 
intersected  the  last-mentioned  road  near  where  Mr. 
Elijah  Fisk  now  lives :  this  road  was  laid  all  the  way 
on  the  top  of  the  hill,  west  of  the  Widow  'Hannah 
Rich  and  Isaiah  Bang's  houses.  Traces  of  this  road 
are  now  visible  in  many  places,  almost  directly  on  the 
ridge,  south  of  Mr.  Fisk's.  Also  another  road,  com- 
mencing where  Mr.  Jonas  Leonard  novv  lives,  by  Mr. 
Asa  Ware's,  to  intersect  the  one  that  leads  to  Morse's 
Pond,  at  the  Stephen  Johnson  place.  No  width 
si  given  to  this  road. 

1765. 

This  year  forty  pounds  was  voted  to  be  raised  to 
repair  highways  ;  and  it  was  also  voted  that  the  select- 
men should  take  care  of  Elizabeth  Rumble  and  her 
children,  and  receive  them  as  toiviis  poor  (these  are 
the  first  paupers  mentioned)  ;  and  in  November  this 
year,  the  town  granted  ten  pounds,  eight  shillings,  to 
be  proportioned  on  the  inhabitants  according  to  their 
invoice,  to  defray  the  expense  of  keeping  said  paupers 
one  year  ;  and  that  the  inhabitants  shall  all  have  to 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK.  37 

keep  said  woman  and  her  children  their  proportions 
of  said  rate. 

1766. 

Voted  to  choose  five  selectmen  this  year  ;  and  chose 
Benjamin  Conant,  James  Ball,  Jeduthan  Morse,  Amos 
Marsh,  and  Amzi  Doolittle  ;  and  chose  Jeduthan 
Morse,  Ebenezer  Curtis,  and  Amos  Marsh,  assessors  ; 
raised   forty  pounds    to    support   the    highways,    and 

voted  two  shillings  to  Asa ,  for  keeping  Sarah 

Rumble  three  weeks.  The  first  three  selectmen  this 
year  laid  out  a  burying-ground,  as  follows  :  viz.,  "  Be- 
ginning at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  meeting-house 
common,  and  extending  east,  on  the  north  line,  to  a 
small  hemlock-tree,  marked  for  the  north-east  corner  ; 
thence  south,  seven  degrees  east,  to  a  black-oak-tree  ; 
then  due  south,  twelve  rods,  to  a  stake  and  stones  ; 
thence  west,  to  the  west  line  of  the  common  ;  thence 
north,  to  the  first-mentioned  corner." 


1768. 

At  a  town-meeting  convened  at  the  meeting-house, 
March  7,  the  town  voted  ten  pounds  to  support  a 
school  some  part  of  the  year.  It  was  then  proposed 
to  the  town,  whether  they  would  have  a  moving 
school  ?  and  it  was  voted  in  the  affirmative  :  also 
voted  to  have  a  school  kept  December,  January,  and 
February,  by  a  master ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  ten 
pounds  to  pay  a  mistress  to  keep  school  in  the  sum- 
mer season  ;  and  voted  that  the  selectmen  employ  a 


38  HISTORY   OF    WARWICK. 

master  and  mistress,  and  appoint  the  school  wards,  or 
places,  where  the  schools  shall  be  kept. 

This  is  the  first  account  that  we  have  of  a  school 
being  kept  at  the  expense  of  the  town,  and,  we  pre- 
sume, the  first  attempt  to  district  the  town.  In  June 
following,  a  town-meeting  was  called,  to  see  if  the 
town  would  sell  a  school-lot,  and  to  give  the  selectmen 
instructions  concerning  a  woman's  school :  and  they 
voted  that  Mrs.  Hannah  Rawson  be  employed  to  keep 
school ;  and  they  further  voted,  that,  if  the  major  part 
of  the  quarter  where  she  lived  objected  against  her 
keeping,  the  selectmen  should  dismiss  her  ;  or,  if  the 
selectmen  found  any  material  objection  against  her, 
they  should  dismiss  her  ;  and  she  is  to  have  four  shil- 
lings and  six  pence  per  week  for  the  time,  she  keeps, 
her  father  finding:  her  board. 


1769. 

In  1769,  ten  pounds  was  raised  for  schooling,  and 
the  selectmen  clothed  with  the  same  authority  as  last 
year,  —  hiring,  districting,  &c. 


1770  AND    71. 

In  1 77 1,  the  town  v^oted  twelve  pounds  for  school- 
ing, and  sixty  pounds  to  be  worked  out  on  the  roads. 

In  the  year  1770,  the  proprietors  chose  a  commit- 
tee, consisting  of  James  Ball,  Nathan  Goddard,  and 
Samuel  Williams,  to  lay  out  the  fifth  and  last  division 
of  lands  in  Warwick.     They  employed  a  surveyor  by 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK. 


39 


the  name  of  Job  Gilbert,  and  laid  out  sixty-two  lots, 
containing  a  little  over  fourteen  acres  each.  These 
lots  were  laid  out  of  the  several  pieces  of  common 
land  remaining"  in  various  forms  in  different  parts  of 
the  town.  Where  they  began,  they  laid  off  as  many 
lots  as  the  piece  would  make,  and  the  fraction  that 
remained  would  be  numbered,  and  acres  enough  taken 
off  the  next  piece  (of  the  same  number)  to  make 
out  the  fourteen  acres.  They  thus  proceeded  until 
they  had  surveyed  off  all  the  fragments  of  land  in  the 
town.  This  accounts  for  the  parts  of  the  fourtccn- 
acre  lots  being  so  scattered  ;  for  instance,  N.  G. 
Stevens,  jun.,  owns  part  of  a  lot  adjoining  Capt.  Wil- 
liam Burnett's  farm,  containing  five  or  six  acres  ; 
and  the  remainder  of  the  lot  lies  south  of  Israel  Fish- 
er's land.  William  Perry  owns  part  of  a  lot  south  of 
his  house,  and  the  other  part  is  not  far  from  William 
Hastings's.  There  is  a  record  of  a  vote  of  the  old 
proprietors  in  1769,  in  these  words  :  — 

"  Provided  always,  that  it  is  the  true  intent  and  meaning 
of  this  proprietary,  that  all  the  several  slips  that  were  re- 
served for  roads,  between  any  or  all  of  the  first  and  second 
division  of  lands  in  said  township,  be  and  remain  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  from  time  to  time,  and  at 
all  times  forever  hereafter,  for  roads  or  highways  ;  and  may 
be  exchanged  by  said  inhabitants,  for  other  lands  for  roads 
more  to  the  town's  advantage." 

•  This  may  be  considered  as  a  good  title,  or  right  and 
privilege  to  the  public,  that  has  been  little  regarded, 
and  perhaps  not  generally  known.  After  this  last 
division  was  laid  out,  there  remained  one  hundred  and 


40 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


six  acres  of  land  to  the  original  proprietors.  It  was 
voted  to  raise  a  tax  of  two  dollars  on  each  share,  and 
give  the  town  the  one  hundred  and  six  acres  of  land, 
for  them  to  finish  off  the  meeting-house.  The  town 
declined  the  accepting  of  the  offer  of  the  land,  as  Fran- 
cis Nourse  and  Josiah  Rawson  had  laid  claim  to  and 
entered  upon  said  land.* 

Nothing  of  particular  importance  is  found  on  the 
town  records  for  several  years  ;  but  we  are  now  ap- 
proaching a  crisis  full  of  interest  and  big  with  events  ; 
and  future  generations  will  look  back  with  astonish- 
ment, reverence,  and  awe  at  the  mighty  deeds  and 
the  powerful  exertions  of  the  generations  that  have 
immediately  preceded  us.  To  this  generation,  under 
the  blessing  of  God,  we  are  indebted  for  all  the  civil 
privileges  we  now  enjoy.  And  not  only  we,  but  the 
whole  human  race,  may  commemorate  this  era  as  the 
first  dawning  of  the  light  of  liberty. 

Here,  in  this  new  worid,  in  this  then  thinly-popu- 
lated country,  just  emerging  into  political  life,  were 
nursed  and  cherished  the  first  pure  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  freedom.  Who  of  us  can  restrain  our 
feelings  ?  Who  can  stifle  the  flame  of  gratitude  that 
bursts  involuntarily  from  the  sacred  depositories  of 
our  hearts  }  Who  that  has  the  spirit  and  mind  of  a  free- 
man can  undervalue  these  privileges,  and  not  recipro- 
cate and  rejoice  with  every  true  defender  of  his  coun- 
try, every  worshipper  of  his  God  ? 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  the 
inhabitants  of  this  town  were  not  a  whit  behind  their 

*  This  was  the  last  vote  on  record  of  the  doings  of  the  old  pro- 
prietors. 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK. 


41 


neighbors  in  principle  or  practice  :  the  same  spirit  of 
Hberty   that   echoed    throughout    New    England    re- 
sponded from  our  fathers  and  our  brethren.     A  m.ighty 
impulse  pervaded  the  whole  population.     ''Liberty  or 
deatJi'  was  their  motto.     The  proud  spirit  of  our  fathers 
bade  defiance  to  British  thunder ;  the  bright  and  daz- 
zling equipments  of  regular  and  well-disciplined  troops 
could  not  intimidate  the  hardy  yeomanry  of  our  coun- 
try.    I  will  here  relate  a  story,  strictly  characteristic 
of  our  countrymen  :  I  had  it  from  the  mouth  of  an 
eye-witness,*  who  was  a  brother  to  one  of  Gen.  Wash- 
ington's life-guards.     It  was  at  the  taking  of  Corn- 
wallis.     The  regiment  that  this  man  belonged  to  had, 
previous  to  that  event,  suffered    unnumbered    priva- 
tions, were  continually  on  the  alert,  and  their  clothing 
was  literally  rags  :  he  said  nearly  one-half  of  the  regi- 
ment were  barefoot ;    but  their  hearts  were  as  true  as 
the  needle  to  the  pole.     The  supplies  which  had  been 
long  expected  from  the  government  had  not  arrived  ; 
but,  by  perseverance  and  valor,  the  day  of  their  deliv- 
erance was  at  hand.     At  this  critical  period,  when  the 
fate  of  our  country  was  suspended  by  a  thread,  the 
summons  from  the  American  camp  struck  terror  and 
dismay  into  the  heart  of  the  haughty  British  com- 
mander.    He  made  a  conditional  surrender,  and  the 
time  was  set  when  his  troops  should  march  out  of  the 
post,  and  stack  their  arms.     Our  allies,  the  French, 
were  drawn  up  in  a  long  line  on  one  side,  and  the 
Americans  on  the  other ;  and  the  British  troops,  the 
prisoners,  were  to  march  out  between  these  lines,  with 

*  Mr.  James  Davenport  of  Dorchester,  Mass. 
4* 


42  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

trailed  arms,  unloaded,  and  deposit  them  on  the  spot 
assigned.  Our  brave  Yankees  literally  toed  the  line, 
for  their  foet  were  many  of  them  bare ;  while  the 
proud  British  soldiers  were  dressed,  as  the  saying  is, 
"neat  as  a  new  pin,"  —  every  man  had  his  hair  pow- 
dered, and  every  one  was  a  prince  to  look  to.  My 
informant  said  that  language  was  too  feeble  to  de- 
scribe the  indignation  and  resentment  of  the  British 
soldiers,  plainly  depicted  in  their  countenances,  to 
think  that  they  had  surrendered  to  such  a  dirty, 
ragged,  weatherbeaten  set  of  human  beings  :  they 
gnashed  their  teeth,  and  shook  their  heads,  and  mut- 
tered out  oaths  and  execrations  too  horrid  to  re- 
hearse. All  the  while  our  victorious  countrymen 
stood  firm  and  unmoved,  —  guns  loaded,  swords  drawn, 
hearts  of  steel :  a  glow  of  manly  enthusiasm  and  joy 
beamed  from  every  countenance  ;  while  the  rude  winds 
of  heaven  sported  with  their  tattered  garments.  This 
was  truly  American  ;  this  was  truly  the  character  of 
our  fathers  :  though  poor  and  destitute,  they  were 
powerful,  energetic,  and  brave,  and  never  bowed  the 
knee  to,  nor  owned  a  superior  in,  any  human  being. 
This  regiment  that  I  -have  mentioned  was  presented, 
by  the  great  and  good  Lafayette,  with  shoes  and 
stockings,  and  every  one  of  the  sergeants  with  a  cut- 
lass, out  of  his  own  private  purse,  as  a  reward  for 
their  integrity,  obedience,  and  devotedness  to  the 
cause  of  liberty.  He  never  deserted  them  by  day  or 
by  night  ;  and  when  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to 
encamp  on  the  ground,  in  the  open  field,  he  would 
refuse,  when  solicited  to  accept  of  better^  fare,  and 
lie  down  on  the  ground  by  the  side  of  his  horse,  and 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  43 

in  company  with  his  men.  How  strange,  how  aston- 
ishing, that  a  young  and  rich  nobleman,  born  with 
an  ample  fortune,  should  leave  the  land  of  his  birth, 
the  friends  of  his  youth,  the  gay  and  fascinating  pleas- 
ures so  alluring  to  the  young,  and  repair  to  a  foreign 
land,  to  espouse  their  cause,  to  fight  their  battles,  to 
associate  with  and  become  attached  to  our  rude  and 
rustic  sires  !  But  such  was  the  case  ;  and  what  could 
be  the  cause  ?  what  reason  can  we  assign  for  it  ?  It 
was  the  principles  of  the  man,  the  congenial  feelings, 
the  attachment,  the  indissoluble  attachment  of  kindred 
souls,  —  an  attachment  which  adversity  cannot  weaken 
nor  death  destroy. 

1774. 

A  meeting  was  called  "  in  His  Majesty's  name  "  (but 
not  in  obedience  to  His  Majesty)  on  the  thirtieth 
day  of  August,  1774,  to  take  into  consideration  sev- 
eral papers  sent  to  the  town  of  Warwick  from  the 
town  of  Boston,  and  from  committees  of  correspond- 
ence, to  see  if  the  town  will  enact  any  thing  respect- 
ing these  papers,  or  any  thing  else  relating  to  the 
public  difficulties  that  this  Province  labors  under  at 
this  day  ;  and  also  to  see  if  the  town  will  make  a 
grant  of  the  sum  desired  to  defray  the  charges  of  the 
committee  of  Congress. 

Now  listen  :  This  meeting  was  called,  or  notified, 
on  the  30th  of  August.  See  the  promptitude,  see  the 
ardency  of  their  feelings  :  unable  to  wait  seven  days, 
as  the  law  required,  they  are  summoned  to  meet  on 
the  fifth  day  of  September,  at  two  o'clock,  p.m.     Not 


44 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


a  voice  is  raised  to  dispute  the  legality  of  the  meet- 
ing, but  a  simultaneous  response  of"  Forward  !  forward  ! 
Our  rights  are  invaded,  our  liberties  are  in  jeopardy." 
But  let  us  pause,  and  hear  their  simple  but  energetic 


language : — 


"  Voted  and  chose  Mr.  Ezra  Conant  moderator.  Voted 
the  sum  of  eight  shilHngs,  being  this  town's  proportion  of 
the  sum  agreed  on  by  the  Honorable  Council  and  House 
of  Representatives  in  their  session  to  pay  a  committee  of 
Congress.  Voted  to  get  two  barrels  of  powder,  and  lead 
and  flints,  answerable  for  a  town  stock  ;  and  that  the  select- 
men be  a  committee  to  procure  the  same.  Voted  to  adhere 
strictly  to  our  chartered  rights  and  privileges,  and  to  defend 
them  to  the  utmost  of  our  capacity ;  and  that  we  will  be  in 
readiness,  that,  if  our  brethren  in  Boston  or  elsewhere 
should  be  distressed  by  the  troops  sent  here  to  force  a  com- 
pliance to  the  unconstitutional  and  oppressive  acts  of  the 
British  Parliament,  and  will  give  us  notice,  that  we  will 
repair  to  their  relief  forthwith.  Voted  to  choose  a  captain, 
lieutenant,  and  ensign,  and  that  they  enlist  fifty  men  in  this 
town  to  be  at  a  minute's  warning  to  go,  if  called  for,  to  the 
relief  of  our  brethren  in  any  part  of  the  Province. 

"  Voted  and  chose  Samuel  Williams  captain  ;  James 
Ball  lieutenant ;  and  Amzi  Doolittle  ensign.  Voted  that 
the  expenses  of  said  company  (if  called  to  go)  shall  be  paid 
by  the  town,  an  account  therefor  being  exhibited  to  the 
town  by  officers  thereof." 

Signed  by  Ezra  Conant,  Moderator. 


Here  you  may  see  the  unanimity  of  kindred  souls  ; 
here  i5  a  fair  sample  of  our  fathers'  characters  in  those 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  45 

gloomy  and  perilous  times,  volunteering  their  prop- 
erty, and  all  that  was  dear  to  them  as  men,  or  valuable 
to  them  as  citizens,  —  yes,  and  their  lives  too,  —  on  the 
sacred  altar  of  their  country's  rights.  But  my  story 
is  not  yet  half  told;  for,  on  the  17th  of  September, 
"  Joseph  Mayo,  constable  of  said  town,  was  directed 
forthwith  to  notify  the  inhabitants  thereof  to  assemble 
on  the  19th  instant  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
to  see  if  the  town  will  vote  to  choose  delegates  to 
represent  them  in  a  county  congress,  to  be  convened 
at  Northampton  on  the  22d  instant,  at  nine  o'clock 
in  the  morning  ;  also  to  see  if  the  town  will  act  any 
thing  respecting  our  public  affairs,  and  choose  such 
committee  or  committees,  and  give  them  instructions 
as  they  shall  think  proper  at  said  meeting."  Here 
again  the  constable  was  directed  on  Saturday  to  sum- 
mon the  people  to  meet  on  Monday,  to  act  on 
matters  of  the  first  importance.  Where  was  the  law  } 
The  impulse  of  the  moment  was  their  law,  their  con- 
science their  law-giver,  and  their  God  their  judge. 
But  they  assembled,  every  man  to  his  post,  and  chose 
Capt.  Samuel  Williams  moderator.  It  was  proposed 
to  the  town  to  send  delegates  to  the  congress  at 
Northampton  on  the  22d,  and  immediately  voted 
in  the  affirmative.  Voted  and  chose  Capt.  Samuel 
Williams  and  Mr.  Josiah  Pomeroy  delegates.  Also 
voted  that  an  attested  copy  of  the  proceedings  of 
this  meeting  be  given  to  the  delegates  by  the  town 
clerk  ;  then  adjourned  the  meeting  to  the  26th  instant, 
at  four  o'clock,  p.m. 

Met  again  at  the  time  specified  at  the  adjournment, 
instructed  and  animated  by  their  delegates,  who  had 


46  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

returned  from  Northampton.  They  voted  to  send 
Capt.  Samuel  Williams  to  represent  them  in  a  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  to  be  holden  at  Concord,  on  -the 
second  Tuesday  of  October  following. 

A  town  meeting  was  convened  Nov.  7,  to  pass  upon 
and  pay  the  costs  of  the  delegation  to  Northampton 
and  Concord  ;  also  to  see  if  the  town  will  choose  their 
militia  officers,  or  divide  the  town  into  two  companies  ; 
viz.,  an  alarm-list  company,  and  a  training  company, 
of  militia.  It  may  be  necessary  to  state,  for  informa- 
tion, that  the  above  company  just  mentioned  consisted 
of  all  the  exempts  from  the  militia  companies  by 
reason  of  age.  The  law  at  that  day  compelled  the 
militiamen  to  train  until  they  were  forty-five  years  of 
age  ;  and  the  alarm-list  consisted  of  all  able-bodied 
men  between  forty-five  and  sixty  years  of  age.  The 
old  men  between  forty-five  and  sixty  years  were 
obliged  to  keep  themselves  constantly  armed  and 
equipped,  and  to  meet  for  inspection  and  training  only 
once  a  year,  but  were  obliged  to  turn  out  at  the  call 
of  the  authority  of  the  State. 

At  this  meeting,  the  town  voted  to  pay  Samuel 
Williams  his  account  for  attending  the  county  con- 
gress at  Northampton,  as  follows  :  viz.,  For  four 
days'  time,  eight  shillings  ;  journey  of  his  horse,  five 
shillings ;  and  travelling  expenses,  five  shillings : 
amounting  to  eighteen  shillings.  Also  voted  to  pay 
Mr.  Josiah  Pomeroy  the  same  sum.  They  also  voted 
to  pay  Capt.  Samuel  Williams  for  attending  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  at  Concord,  eighteen  days,  at  two 
shillings  per  day,  and  twelve  shillings  for  the  journey 
of  his  horse,  and  his  expenses  three  shillings  per  day. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


47 


These  charges  speak  volumes  in  favor  of  the  disin- 
terestedness of  the  men  who  served  the  public  in  those 
days.  The  town  then  proceeded  to  choose  a  captain 
of  the  militia,  and  chose  Samuel  Williams  ;  Peter 
Proctor  lieutenant ;  and  Reuben  Petty  ensign  ;  and 
Amos  Marsh  clerk.  At  an  adjournment  of  this 
meeting,  the  town  voted  to  choose  two  lieutenants  for 
said  company,  and  chose  the  aforesaid  Peter  Proctor 
first  lieutenant,  and  Reuben  Petty  the  second,  and 
Thomas  Rich  ensign  ;  and  voted  that  the  company 
should  choose  their  under-officers.  You  may  possibly 
think  that  I  have  been  too  lavish  of  my  encomiums, — 
that  I  have  said  too  much  in  commendation  of  the 
actors  on  the  stage  at  the  time  we  have  been  con- 
sidering. But  I  think  that  too  much  cannot  be  said. 
I  think  their  conduct  to  be  above  all  praise ;  but  I  do 
not  deny  that  they  were  men,  and  men,  too,  of  like 
passions  and  propensities  with  ourselves,  subject  to 
error,  and  frequently  erring.  But  where  they  acted 
bravely  and  disinterestedly,  they  ought  to  have  the 
praise  of  it.  Infirmities  they  all  probably  had,  —  and 
infirmities  we  all  have  at  the  present  day  ;  let  us 
pattern  after  their  virtues,  and  avoid  their  imperfec- 
tions. 

In  the  autumn  of  1774  the  first  appearance  of  dis- 
cord on  religious  matters  in  this  town  appears  on 
record.  One  article  in  the  warrant  was  as  follows : 
viz.,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  take  into  considera- 
tion the  certificates  of  the  differing  societies  of  those 
persons  that  call  themselves  Baptists  in  this  town  ; 
and  pass  any  votes  respecting  their  being  taxed  to  the 
minister,  any  or  all  of  them." 


48  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

They  voted  to  Aaron  Whitney  eight  pounds  for  the 
two  kegs  of  powder ;  three  pounds  and  fourpence  for 
two  hundred  weight  of  lead  and  three  hundred  flints  ; 
and  transport  of  the  articles,  one  pound  and  nine  shil- 
lings ;  making  twelve  pounds,  nine  shillings,  and  four- 
pence.  And  they  also  voted  that  twenty-seven  persons, 
expressed  by  name  on  the  records,  should  not  be 
rated  to  the  minister. 

This  year  the  town  granted  eighty  pounds  for 
repair  of  highways,  forty  pounds  of  it  to  be  worked  on 
the  county  road  :  three-fourths  of  the  money  to  be 
worked  out  before  the  middle  of  July,  the  other  fourth 
before  the  ist  of  October  ;  and  it  was  also  voted  that 
the  wages  on  the  highway  should  be  three  shillings 
for  a  man,  two  shillings  for  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  one 
shilling  for  a  cart  or  plough  per  day.  Twenty-four 
pounds  (including  the  interest)  was  voted  for  school- 
ing. 

It  was  omitted  in  its  proper  place  to  mention 
the  first  division  of  this  town  into  school-districts. 
June  3,  1773,  the  town  voted  to  choose  a  committee 
of  five,  to  divide  the  whole  town  into  school-districts  ; 
said  division,  when  made,  to  be  binding  on  the  town, 
entry  thereof  being  made  on  the  town-book  by  order 
of  the  selectmen.  Said  committee  consisted  of  Messrs. 
Jonathan  Woodard,,  Ezra  Conant,  James  Ball,  Dr. 
Medad  Pomeroy,  and  Amos  Marsh. 


1775. 

Jan.    3    of  this   year,  a   meeting  was  convened  to 
see   if  the   town  would   choose   a   man    to    send    to 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  49 

Cambridge,  to  the  Provincial  Congress  in  February 
next ;  and  to  see  if  the  town  will  accept  the  proposals 
agreed  upon  by  the  selectmen  and  a  committee  chosen 
by  the  Baptist  society,  to  leave  our  lawsuit  that  the 
Baptists  commenced  against  James  Ball,  Medad 
Pomeroy,  and  Ezra  Conant,  at  the  last  May  sessions. 

Voted  and  chose  Samuel  Williams  to  represent  the 
town  at  Cambridge,  Voted  to  pass  over  the  last 
article.  March  6,  1775,  it  was  voted  to  choose  five 
selectmen  ;  and  Amos  Marsh,  Samuel  Williams,  Josiah 
Pomeroy,  Thomas  Rich,  and  David  Cobb  were  chosen  ; 
Amos  Marsh  town  clerk.  Seventy  pounds  was  voted 
for  highways.  The  twenty-ninth  article  acted  on  at 
this  meeting.  It  was  moved  and  voted  that  they  choose 
a  committee  of  inspection  consisting  of  five  men  ;  and 
they  chose  Reuben  Petty  chairman,  Seth  Peck,  Josiah 
Pomeroy,  Thomas  Rich,  and  Amos  Marsh,  said  com- 
mittee. 

May  18,  it  was  voted  to  reconsider  the  vote  passed 
at  the  last  annual  meeting  respecting  th^  grant  of 
money  for  the  highways ;  and  they  voted  instead, 
thirty-five  pounds,  —  twenty  pounds  to  be  worked  on 
the  county  road.  They  also  voted  to  send  a  man  to 
tha  Provincial  Congress,  and  chose  Samuel  Williams. 
The  July  following.  Col.  Samuel  Williams  was  again 
chosen  a  delegate  to  a  court  or  congress  to  be  con- 
vened in  the  meeting-house  in  Water  town  ;  and  the 
town  chose  three  men  a  committee  to  give  him  his 
instructions  ;  viz.,  Amos  Marsh,  Thomas  Rich,  and 
Seth  Peck. 

Also  voted,  the  inhabitants  do  concur  with  the 
resolve  and  recommend  of  the  committees  of  corre- 


50  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

spondence  of  Norchfisld,  Athol,  and  Warwick,  to  dis- 
arm and  confine  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hedge  to  the  town  of 
Warwick,  unless  he  has  a  permit  from  the  committee  of 
correspondence  of  said  town.  Voted  to  choose  eleven 
men  as  a  committee  to  come  into  some  plan  to  settle 
the  difficulties  between  this  people  and  Mr.  Hedge  ; 
viz.,  Amos  Marsh,  Ezra  Conant,  Samuel  Williams, 
Peter  Proctor,  Moses  Leonard,  Jonathan  Woodard, 
Jeduthan  Morse,  Abraham  Barnes,  Samuel  Sherman, 
Benjamin  Conant  ;  and  the  record  states  that  the 
eleventh  man  was  not  chosen,  by  reason  of  a  mis- 
count.    Meeting  adjourned  to  July  17. 

The  adjourned  meeting  having  assembled,  the  com- 
mittee on  Mr.  Hedge's  matters  made  a  report,  as  fol- 
lows :  viz.,  Mr.  Hedge  proposes  that  he  will,  upon 
the  town's  rescinding  the  vote  to  disarm  and  confine 
him  to  said  town,  pledge  his  honor  that  he  will  not 
influence  or  prejudice  the  minds  of  the  people  against 
the  common  cause  which  the  country  is  engaged  in, 
and  will  then  join  with  the  town  in  three  proposals  : 
viz.,  First,  to  leave  it  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Province ;  second,  to  a  mutual  council ;  third,  to 
any  set  of  judicious  men  the  town  and  he  could  agree 
upon. 

On  the  report  being  made,  a  motion  was  made  to 
rescind  the  vote  ;  but  it  passed  in  the  negative,  as  the 
records  say,  by  a  vast  majority.  The  town  then  voted 
and  chose  Seth  Peck,  Jeduthan  Morse,  Daniel  Gale, 
and  Savill  Metcalf,  in  addition  to  the  committee  of 
correspondence. 

In  September,  a  meeting  was  called  to  see  if  the 
selectmen  should  be  authorized  to  purchase  a  quantity 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  51 

of  salt  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants,  and  have  instruc- 
tions for  retailing  the  same.  Also  to  see  if  the  town 
will  dismiss  Mr.  Hedge  from  his  ministerialofTfice  ;  and 
to  rescind  the  vote  passed  at  the  annual  meeting, 
granting  him  his  salary  according  to  contract.  These 
articles  were  all  passed  over  ;  and  seventy-two  yeas 
for  dismissing  Mr.  Hedge  entered  their  protest  against 
the  vote.  Voted  to  accept  Col.  Samuel  Williams's  ac- 
couQt  for  attending  the  Congress,  —  two  pounds  ten 
shillings. 

1776. 

In  March,  1776,  the  town  chose  five  selectmen  (the 
first  three  to  be  assessors),  and  also  chose  seven  men 
a  committee  of  correspondence,  inspection,  and  safety  ; 
viz.,  Josiah  Pomeroy,  Josiah  Rawson,  Daniel  Gale, 
Thomas  Rich,  Reuben  Petty,  Elijah  Whitney,  and 
Joseph  Goodell.  Voted  forty  pounds  for  repairing 
roads,  and  twenty-four  pounds  for  schooling. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  a  meeting  was  convened 
for  choosing  a  delegate  or  representative  to  meet 
on  the  29th  of  May,  at  Watertown,  in  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  Province.  This  was  the  first 
town-meeting  called  in  the  nam.e  of  the  government 
and  people  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  all  previous 
meetings  having  been  called  in  the  name  of  His 
Majesty  ;  and  at  this  meeting  the  first  legal  represen- 
tative was  chosen  to  represent  the  town  :  those  that 
had  been  previously  chosen  were  in  defiance  of  a  con- 
stituted authority.  Lieut.  Thomas  Rich  was  chosen  ; 
and  it  was  voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  three  men 


52  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

to  give  instructions  to  said  representative.  Chose 
Amos  Marsh,  Josiah  Rawson,  and  Reuben  Petty. 
Then  it  was  voted  to  adjourn  the  meeting  half  an 
hour,  for  said  committee  to  draw  instructions,  and  re- 
port to  the  town. 

The  meeting  was  opened  agreeably  to  adjournment, 
and  the  committee  read  their  instructions  to  the  town  ; 
also  a  number  of  resolves  of  the  committee  of  the 
county  of  Suffolk.  The  town  then  voted  to  accept 
said  instrifctions,  and  also  the  sixth  clause  in  the  Suf- 
folk resolves.  Also  voted  that  the  said  instructions, 
and  the  sixth  clause  of  the  Suffolk  resolves,  "  goes  on 
the  town  book."  By  this  vote,  those  first  instructions 
are  preserved  ;  and  it  will  not  injure  us,  if  it  does  not 
profit  us,  to  hear  the  sentiments  they  contain.  They 
are  as  follows  ;  viz.  :  — 

"  Whereas  you,  Lieut.  Thomas  Rich,  are  chosen  to  repre- 
sent the  town  of  Warwick  in  a  General  Assembly  of  the 
Colony  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  we  your  constituents  do 
give  you  the  following  instructions  :  — 

"  ist,  That  you  represent  us,  as  true  and  loyal  subjects  to 
the  power  now  in  the  hands  of  the  people  of  America,  and 
that  you  do  your  endeavour  that  no  act  or  acts  be  passed 
encroaching  on  the  liberties  or  in  any  measure  invading  the 
rights  of  the  People. 

"  2dly,  That  you  grant  all  supplies  necessary  for  the  safety 
of  America  under  her  distressing  circumstances  ;  and  that 
you  are  not  extravagant  in  your  grants  to  those  that  maybe 
employed  in  the  service  of  the  Colony  ;  at  the  same  time 
trusting  that  every  true  friend  to  his  country  will  be  willing 
to  serve  in  any  place  where  he  may  be  wanted,  for  a  rea- 
sonable reward. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  53 

"3clly,  That  you  tolerate  all  persuasions  on  account  of 
their  religious  sentiments,  without  giving  one  the  advantage 
of  the  other,  either  in  their  persons  or  their  properties. 

"4thly,  That  all  such  laws  as  in  any  degree  infringe  on 
the  liberties  of  the  people  be  made  void.  In  particular, 
that  of  a  person  having  twenty  pounds  ratable  estate,  to 
qualify  him  to  vote  in  town  affairs,  by  reason  of  which  so 
great  a  majority  as  two-thirds  of  the  freeholders  of  this  town 
are  prohibited  voting  in  town  affairs,  although  they  pay  the 
major  part  of  the  taxes  hereby  raised,  which  is  frequently 
the  case  in  new-settled  towns.  There  are  other  things  that 
are  a  burden,  such  as  these  :  going  sixty  miles  for  license  to 
keep  tavern,  and  recording  Deeds,  all  which  may  be  done 
in  every  town,  or  in  sundry  places  in  the  County,  greatly  to 
the  advantage  of  the  towns  lying  in  the  outside  of  the 
Counties. 

"  5thly,  As  also,  paying  the  Representatives  by  their  own 
towns,  which  might  be  more  equitably  done  by  the  Province  : 
a  great  hardship  that  a  town  of  forty  families  should  pay  as 
much  for  the  legislative  power  as  one  that  has  three  hun- 
dred families  in  it ;  and  as  we  are  poor,  and  hard  drove  to 
pay  our  taxes,  every  thing  that  is  a  burden  that  can  be  taken 
off  or  eased  ought  to  be  done. 

"  6thly,  That  all  deceased  wills  be  proved  and  recorded, 
and  estates  settled,  in  each  town  where  the  deceased  last 
lived,  by  the  Selectmen  and  Town  Clerk  in  the  same  town  ; 
and  that  each  town  have  liberty,  at  each  annual  March  meet- 
ing, to  choose  a  Committee  or  Town  Council  to  prove  Wills 
and  setde  Estates,  and  a  Register  to  record  Wills  and  Set- 
tlements of  Estates.  Said  Selectmen  or  Committee,  and 
the  Town  Clerk  or  Register's  fees,  to  be  each  year  agreed 
upon  by  the  same  town," 

Here  in  these  instructions  you  see  the  jealousy  of 


54  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

our  fathers,  their  repubhcan  principles,  their  love  of 
liberty  and  equality,  and  above  all,  though  miserably 
poor,  their  determination  to  support  the  cause  of  their 
country. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Warwick,  July  4,  1776  (this  meeting  was  called  in 
compliance  with  a  resolve  of  the  General  Court 
to  express  their  sentiments  on  declaring  Independ- 
ence of  the  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain),  a  motion 
was  made  and  seconded,  that  the  town  will  express 
their  sentiments  by  declaring  for  independence 
by  yeas  and  nays  ;  and  all  that  are  not  present 
at  this  meeting  have  the  opportunity  of  giving  their 
names  to  the  town  clerk  within  six  days  from  said 
meeting,  by  personally  appearing  before  said  clerk  ; 
and  voted,  that  the  town  clerk  give  off  the  sentiments 
relative  to  independence  to  Lieut.  Thomas  Rich,  the 
representative  for  said  town.  Thirty-eight  names 
voted  yea  ;  and  forty-four  more  came  in  within  six  days 
and  voted  for  Independence  :  making  a  total  of  eighty- 
two  j^^j,  and  not  one  in  the  negative. 

A  handbill  was  circulated  through  the  State,  and 
a  meeting  called,  to  get  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants 
respecting  a  constitution  and  form  of  government  in 
the  several  towns.  This  meeting  was  in  October,  1776  ; 
and  it  was  voted  in  this  town,  that  the  present  House 
of  Representatives,  with  the  Council,  should  not  enact 
and  agree  on  a  constitution  or  form  of  government, 
but  that  they  should  report  one,  and  send  it  out  to  the 
towns,  for  their  inspection  and  perusal  ;  and  they 
chose  a  committee  to  frame  instructions  for  the  rep- 
resentative of  the  town.     Chose  Amos  Marsh,  Josiah 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


55 


Rawson,  and  Peter  Fish.     Said  instructions  were  as 
follows  ;  viz. :  — 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Rich. 

Sir,  —  Having  by  a  late  vote  empowered  and  directed  you 
to  join  the  other  members  of  the  General  Assembly  in 
forming  a  plan  of  Government  for  this  State,  and  being  fully 
sensible  that  it  is  a  matter  of  the  greatest  importance,  both 
to  the  present  and  future  generations,  that  such  a  plan  be 
adopted  as  shall  be  most  free  from  the  seeds  of  tyranny,  and 
have  the  greatest  tendency  to  preserve  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  the  people,  and  the  most  likely  to  preserve  peace 
and  good  order  in  the  State,  we  therefore  beg  leave  to 
lay  before  you  the  following  short  hints  respecting  a  form 
of  government,  which  we  apprehend,  if  adopted,  will  have  a 
tendency  to  answer  the  purposes  above  mentioned. 

ist,  That  there  be  buf  one  branch  in  the  legislative  au- 
thority of  this  State  ;  viz.,  the  representatives  from  the  sev- 
eral towns,  with  a  president  or  speaker  at  the  head. 

2dly,  That  an  equal  representation  may  be  made,  and 
the  balance  of  power  properly  preserved,  let  each  incor- 
porated town  send  one  member,  and  the  larger  towns  not 
more  than  four  or  five,  and  the  other  towns  in  equal  propor- 
tion. 

3dly,  That  in  making  choice  of  the.  representative,  every 
free  male  inhabitant,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  to  have  the 
privilege  of  voting. 

4thly,  That  in  case  sufficient  evidence  appears  to  a  town 
that  their  representative  or  members  are  guilty  of  acting 
contrary  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people,  then  to 
have  the  privilege,  at  any  time  in  the  year,  to  recall  him  or 
them,  and  choose  anew, 

5thly,  That  not  less  than  eighty  members  make  a  house. 


56  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

1777. 

On  Feb.  14,  1777,  there  is  an  account  allowed  by 
the  town,  in  the  following  form  :  — 

The  towji  of  Warwick  to  the  Selectmen^  Dr. 
For  numbering  the  people,  in  the  year  1776,  agreeably  to 
a  resolve  of  Congress,  and  act  of  the  Court  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  Bay.     One  day  and   an  half  each,   at  four 
shillings  per  day :  the  whole  ^i.  igj-.  od. 

We  notice  this  record,  because  it  coincides  with  our 
opinion,  that  it  is  much  the  best  way  of  numbering 
the  people,  —  the  cheapest  and  the  most  accurate. 
March  31,  1777,  chose  five  Selectmen,  and  seven  men 
as  a  Committee  of  Correspondence  and  Inspection 
and  Safety.  Forty  pounds  was  raised  for  highways, 
•half  of  it  to  be  worked  on  the  county  roads  ;  and 
twenty-four  pounds,  with  the  interest  money,  for 
schooling. 

Thomas  Rich  was  chosen  Representative. 

In  August  the  town  met,  and  voted  to  pay  Josiah 
Cobb  and  Asahel  Newton  twelve  pounds  twelve 
shillings,  to  defray  the  expense  of  getting  the  salt  from 
Boston,  apportioned  to  them  by  the  General  Court. 

About  this  time  the  depreciation  in  the  paper 
money  caused  many  embarrassments  ;  and  a  meeting 
was  called  to  take  into  consideration  a  late  act  of  the 
General  Court,  in  calling  in  the  State's  money,  and 
granting  treasury  notes  upon  interest.  And  it  was 
voted,  that  if  no  other  method  coulci  be  adopted  than 
to  call  in  the  State's  money  and  put  it  upon  interest, 
that  we  would  have  said  money  called  in  and   burned, 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK.  57 

rather  than  to  rim  our  risk  in  paying  interest  for  it 
at  a  day  when  money  cannot  be  had  so  easy  as  at  the 
present  day.  Also  voted,  that  the  town  will  make 
choice  of  Caleb  Strong  for  their  County  Register. 

1778. 

March  30,  1778,  voted  to  choose  five  selectmen  ;  and 
chose  Amos  Marsh,  Lieut.  Joseph  Mayo,  Lieut. 
Thomas  Rich,  Lieut.  Josiah  Pomeroy,  and  Caleb 
Mayo  ;  and  it  was  voted  that  the  second,  third,  and 
fourth  selectmen  be  assessors.  Four  hundred  pounds 
was  voted  to  repair  the  highways,  half  of  it  to  be  laid 
out  on  Jthe  County  roads.  Voted  to  allow  twenty 
shillings  a  day  for  a  man,  ten  shillings  for  a  yoke  of 
oxen,  and  six  shillings  for  a  cart  or  plough.* 

Voted  to  set  off  Richard  Wastcoat  and  the  inhab- 
itants about  him,  as  a  school  ward. 

May  21,  1778,  a  constitution  or  form  of  govern- 
ment was  laid  before  the  people  in  the  several  towns 
in  this  commonwealth.  The  vote  in  Warwick  was 
three  for  adopting  said  constitution,  and  twenty-four 
against  it. 

Sept.  18,  a  meeting  was  held  to  see  if  the  town 
will  pay  a  bounty  on  wolves  ;  and  also  to  see  if  the 
town  will  provide  preaching  in  said  town,  upon  the 
plan  of  a  free  contribution  ;  also  to  choose  a  committee 
to  procure  the  same,  upon  the  plan  above  mentioned  ; 
and  also  to  see  what  measures  the  town  will  take  to 
support  the  widow  Sarah  Crossman. 

*  This  shows  that  the  money  was  depreciated,  by  allowing  such  a 
price  for  labor. 


58  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Voted  at  the  foregoing  meeting  to  pay  a  bounty  of 
twenty  pounds  per  head  on  wolves  ;  and  proposed 
joining  with  Northfield,  Winchester,  Royalston,  and 
Athol ;.  and  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee 
to  send  to  said  towns. 

Voted  to  pass  over  the  article  for  procuring  preach- 
ing. 

Voted  that  Josiah  Rawson  and  Samuel  Mellen  be 
a  committee  to  provide  for  the  widow  Sarah  Cross- 
man  the  necessaries  of  life  ;  and  chose  Dea.  James 
Ball  to  look  into  the  affair  relative  to  the  widow 
Grossman  being  an  inhabitant  of  said  town. 

The  crisis  is  passed  and  gone,  which  was  so  full  of 
interest  and  instruction.  The  "  breaking  out  "  (as  it 
has  many  times  been  expressed)  of  the  "  Revolution- 
ary war,"  and  the  many  heroic  displays  of  the  genera- 
tion which  has  immediately  preceded  us,  have  in 
some  measure  eclipsed  the  many  meritorious  acts  of 
the  subsequent  times.  The  most  important,  the  long^ 
to  be  7'emembered  iransactiojiy  that  of  declaring'  our- 
selves a  free  and  independent  people  or  nationy  had 
passed  by.  But  much  remained  yet  to  be  done.  The 
patience,  the  unexampled  patience  and  fortitude,  of 
our  fathers  and  brothers,  was  severely  tested. 

In  the  midst  of  a  noble  struggle  for  liberty  and  the 
rights  of  man,  they  steadily  and  firmly  stemmed  the 
unequal  contest,  — a  contest  unexampled  in  the  history 
of  nations.  The  stripling  youth,  young  and  inex- 
perienced, was  now  seen  contending  wifh  the  power- 
ful and  hard-hearted  parent.  The  rights  and  the 
liberties  which  the  God  of  nature  had  conferred  upon 
him  as  his  birthright  were  clandestinely  and  unfeelingly 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


59 


withheld.  The  allegorical  David,  unaccustomed  to 
the  ''tented  field,"  unaccoutred  with  a  coat  of  mail, 
and  unprovided  with  an  armor-bearer  to  shield  his 
throbbing  breast  from  the  cruel  and  powerful  sword 
of  his  enemy,  trips  forward  to  meet  the  Goliath  of  the 
world,  —  the  Hon  of  the  Islands  of  the  seas.  The 
valley  that  was  between  them  was  the  vast  Atlantic 
Ocean ;  his  armor-bearer  was  a  thousand  ships  of 
war,  manned  by  veteran  and  experienced  seamen  ;  his 
shield  the  heavy  and  thundering  artillery,  that  had 
so  long  protected  him  from  the  rage  of  all  his  foes. 

And  mark  the  result !  Relying  on  the  God  of  ar- 
mies, his  youthful  hands  prostrated  the  proud  Goliath, 
and  literally  killed  him  with  his  own  sword  ;  for  never 
could  we  have  conquered  the  enemy,  if  we  had  not 
taken  arms  and  ammunition  wherewith  to  have  taken 
off  his  head.  We  well  know  that  they  contended  per- 
severingly,  and  accomplished  the  object  they  had  in 
view.  We  are  enjoying  the  rich  fruits  of  their  labors  : 
may  we  have  the  wisdom  and  virtue  to  transmit  to 
our  posterity  unimpaired  all  these  national  blessings  ! 

But  the  "  rude  din  of  arms  "  and  "  horrors  of  war  " 
were  not  all  the  evils  which  surrounded  our  towns- 
men at  this  time.  To  add  to  the  calamities  of  this 
(I  had  almost  said  ill-fated)  town,  at  the  time  when 
the  public  burdens  were  the  heaviest  and  most  sensi- 
bly felt,  a  powerful  religious  excitement  was  produced 
among  the  inhabitants,  by  the  preaching  and  ex- 
hortations of.  one  Elder  Hix,  an  itinerant  Baptist 
minister,  whose  zeal,  by  what  has  been  related  of  him, 
could  hardly  have  been  exceeded  by  St.  Paul  him-, 
self     They  went   from    house   to    house,  convincing 


6o  HISTORY   OF    WARWICK. 

and  converting  one  another  ;  held  their  meetings  by 
day  and  by  night,  in  season  and  out  of  season. 
Their  daily  and  usual  occupations  were  neglected  ; 
some  of  the  first  characters  in  the  town  were  sub- 
jects of  irresistible  grace,  and  exhorted  and  prayed 
and  admonished  each  other  to  flee  to  the  ark  of  safe- 
ty ;  and  children  and  boys,  unlearned  and  untaught, 
could  pray  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of  angels. 
Much  enthusiasm  made  them  mad,  sober  reason  was 
discarded,  and  the  town  was  well  nigh  turned  upside 
down.     But  listen  to  the  sequel. 

When  the  victims  of  this  delusion  (if  we  may  be 
allowed  so  mild  an  expression)  were  wrought  up  to 
the  highest  pitch,  when  meek -eyed  Charity  hoped  and 
believed  them  to  be  sincere  worshippers  of  God,  the 
bubble  burst,  the  wolves  in  sheep's  clothing  were  dis- 
covered. Such  a  scene  of  infatuation  and  corruption 
was  brought  to  light  as  perhaps  never  was  before  wit- 
nessed in  a  Christian  land.  Who  could  believe  that 
this  monster  in  sin,  though  a  pretended  servant  of  the 
most  high  God,  had  long  been  guilty  of  conduct  that 
would  disgrace  a  brothel  ;  and,  to  fill  up  the  measure 
of  his  iniquity  to  the  brim,  he  absconded  from  the  town 
with  a  young  girl,  the  miserable  dupe  of  his  nefarious 
wiles,  and  a  deluded  proselyte  to  his  pretended  reli- 
gion.    This  girl's  name  was Doolittle.     As  soon 

as  the  rookery  was  broken  up  by  the  arch  demon's 
decamping,  Mr.  Amos  Marsh  cleared  out  with  Mrs. 
Doolittle,  the  girl's  mother  ;  and  Mr.  Amzi  Doolittle, 
the  father  of  the  girl, 'went  off  with  Mr.  Thomas 
Barber's  wife. 

The  exasperated  friends  and  relations  of  some  of 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  ■     6 1 

these  elopers  followed  after  them,  and  took  Mr.  Marsh 
and  Mrs.  Doolittle  somewhere  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  brought  them  back,  and  committed  them  to 
jail  in  Northampton,  where  they  were  tried  for  the 
crime  of  adultery,  and  found  guilty.  They  were  sen- 
tenced to  sit  on  the  gallows,  pay  a  fine,  and  he  was 
ever  after  to  wear  the  letter  A,  in  a  large  capital  form, 
on  his  outside  garment. 

Before  leaving  this  disgusting  story,  I  will  inform 
you  of  one  of  the  methods  this  famous  Elder  Hix 
used  to  lead'  astray  his  credulous  hearers,  and  make 
them  the  willing  subjects  of  seduction. 

He  told  them  that  men  and  women  had  their  spirit- 
ual husbands  and  wives  as  well  as  their  temporal ;  and 
consequently  where  the  spirit  led  them  to  love  and 
admire  each  other  in  a  spiritual  sense,  there  was  no 
criminality  in  the  connection. 

I  think  we  may  truly  say  with  the  poet,  — 

"  When  such  sad  scenes  our  senses  pain, 
What  eye  from  weeping  can  refrain?" 

Thus  the  peace  and  happiness  of  four  or  five  fami- 
lies were  completely  destroyed,  and  society  received 
an  almost  irreparable  wound.  A  solemn  warning,  this, 
for  all  of  us  to  beware  of  impostors,  and  not  to  be 
led  away  by  infatuated  religionists,  nor  deluded  by  a 
mistaken  zeal. 

But  to  return  to  our  previous  subject,  respecting  the 
national  difficulties  and  obstacles  that  our  fathers  en- 
countered in  those  exciting  and  trying  times. 

Our  government  was  only  a  rope  of  sand.     A  new 


62  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

constitution  for  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 
had  been  drawn  up  and  submitted  to  the  town  for 
their  approbation  or  disapproval  ;  and  it  was  ahiiost 
unanimously  opposed,  only  three  voting  in  favor  of  it. 
The  proposed  constitution  did  not  agree  with  their 
liberal  and  republican  principles  ;  yet,  at  the  same 
meeting,  they  voted  to  grant  the  requisition  of  the 
General  Court,  respecting  supplying  their  proportion 
towards  clothing  the  Continental  army. 

The  town  at  this  time  was  also  destitute  of  a  minis- 
ter ;  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Hedge  having  died  Oct.  17, 
1777,  on  the  very  day  that  Gen.  Burgoyne  surren- 
dered his  army  to  the  Americans. 

The  depreciation  in  the  paper  money  then  in  circu- 
lation was  an  evil  severely  felt  :  silver  and  gold  was 
scarce,  and  the  circulating  medium  was  principally 
paper.  For  an  example  of  its  value,  it  is  recorded 
that  at  the  annual  meeting  in  March,  1779,  eight 
hundred  pounds  was  raised  to  repair  the  highways, 
two-thirds  of  it  to  be  laid  out  on  the  county  road  ; 
and  the  wages  of  a  man  was  fixed  at  thirty-six  shil- 
lings per  day,  and  a  yoke  of  oxen  at  three  dollars. 

The  December  previous  (1778),  it  was  voted  to 
give  the  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  six  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  pounds,  as  a  settlement  in  the  gospel  ministry  ; 
and  it  was  also  voted  to  relinquish  all  that  are  not  of 
the  Congregational  denomination  from  paying  minis- 
terial charges. 

They  also  voted  to  pay  the  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  sixty 
pounds  lawful  money  for  the  first  year's  salary,  and 
seventy  pounds  a  year  afterwards  ;  said  salary  to  be 
paid  in  money,  equal  to  rye  at  three  shillings  and  six- 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  63 

pence  per  bushel,  and  corn  at  two  shillings  and  eight- 
pence  per  bushel.  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  was  ordained 
in  Warwick,  Sept.  23,  1779,  and  he  had  thirty  cords 
of  wood  added  to  his  salary  annually. 

The  town  meetings  at  this  time  were  called  in  the 
name  and  government  of  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  Bay.  In  June,  1779,  the  town  convened 
for  the  purpose  of  petitioning  the  General  Court  to 
relinquish  a  heavy  fine  laid  on  them  for  not  raising 
their  quota  of  men,  and  to  represent  their  inability 
to  raise  men  for  the  service  in  proportion  to  their 
numbers.  It  has  been  said  that  the  town  could  not 
procure  men  without  paying  large  bounties,  or  pro- 
viding for  their  families  while  they  were  absent ;  a 
large  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  being  poor. 

The  town  chose  a  committee  of  five  to  draft  a  peti- 
tion out  of  two  forms  produced  by  Lieut.  Thomas 
Rich  and  Col.  Samuel  Williams,  which  was  to  be 
signed  by  the  town  clerk  in  behalf  of  the  town,  for  a 
redress  of  grievances.  In  August,  1779,  the  town 
voted  '  to  warn  out  all  persons  residing  in  said  town, 
that  were  not  inhabitants,"  according  to  law ;  and  for 
the  fa 'ure  to  practise  accordingly.  They  also  voted 
to  send  a  member  to  the  county  convention,  to  be 
holden  at  Northampton,  to  state  the  prices  of  the 
necessaries  of  life.  Lieut.  Josiah  Pomeroy  was  chosen. 
After  the  delegate  had  returned  from  Northampton, 
the  town  voted  to  adopt  the  doings  of  the  convention, 
and  chose  a  committee  of  seven  persons  to  fix  the 
price  of  hay  and  other  articles  which  should  be 
thought  proper.  They  also  chose  a  committee  of  three 
.  persons  to  hear  complaints,  provided  that  any  should 
transgress  these  regulations. 


64  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  the  town  voted  to  raise 
seven  hundred  pounds  to  pay  bounties  and  mileage  of 
soldiers. 

1780. 

This  year  the  paper  money  had  so  depreciated,  that 
five  thousand  pounds  was  voted  to  repair  the  high- 
ways. Men's  wages  fixed  at  nine  pounds  per  day,  and 
a  yoke  of  oxen  five  pounds,  and  a  cart  or  plough  at 
three  pounds  per  day  ;  and  fifteen  hundred  pounds 
was  raised  for  the  support  of  the  poor. 

May  17,  this  year,  the  sixth  article  in  the  warrant  is 
as  follows :  viz.,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  take  any 
method  to  prevent  the  wolves  catching  sheep." 

The  present  constitution  of  this  State  was  laid  be- 
fore *the  town  for  their  acceptance  the  twenty-four4:h 
day  of  May  of  this  year  ;  and  they  voted  to  accept  the 
third  article,  viz.,  "  the  article  on  religious  freedom  : " 
seventy-three  voting  in  favor  of  the  article,  and  finally 
the  whole  constitution  at  large,  with  this  amendment : 
viz.,  "  That  no  person  shall  hold  a  seat  in  the  civil 
department  of  government,  except  he  be  a  professor  of 
the  Christian  Protestant  religion."  Afterwards  it  was 
voted  not  to  receive  the  constitution  with  the  pro- 
posed amendment ;  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
regulate  the  objections  and  amendments. 

The  town  was  called  on,  in  June,  to  raise  a  number 
of  men  for  six  months  ;  and  a  committee  was  chosen, 
with  instructions  to  offer  the  men  that  would  go  into 
the  service  for  that  time  fifteen  pounds  bounty,  equal 
to  silver  or  gold,  or  a  sum  equal  to  their  wages.     In 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  65 

July  following,  the  town  raised  fourteen  hundred  and 
forty-nine  pounds  and  twelve  shillings,  to  pay  said 
bounty  ;  and  they  also  raised  five  thousand  pounds  for 
defraying  necessary  charges  ;  and  in  September,  to 
cap  the  whole,  they  voted  to  raise  twenty  thousand 
pounds  to  pay  up  the  soldiers. 


1781. 

Jan.  8,  the  town  voted  three  thousand  one  hundred 
pounds,  to  pay  for  horses  for  the  Continental  service. 
About  this  time  the  town  was  called  on  for  three  years' 
men  ;  and  they  voted  to  class  the  town,  and  each  class 
was  to  provide  a  man,  and  pay  him.  Thus  may  be 
readily  perceived  the  difficulties  that  beset  our  towns- 
men. We  ought  to  feel  grateful  that  Providence  has 
cast  our  lot  in  an  age  that  is  distinguished  for  peace 
and  prosperity,  and  that  we  have  none  to  molest  us 
or  make  us  afraid.  But  the  story  of  our  predecessors' 
sufferings  is  not  yet  all  told. 

This  town  was  called  upon,  in  July,  to  raise  seven 
militiamen,  and  a  quantity  of  beef  for  the  use  of  the 
army  ;  and  the  town  raised,  or  voted  to  raise,  sixty 
pounds,  silver  money,  to  pay  for  said  beef.  And  also 
chose  a  committee  of  three  men  to  give  them  their 
own  securities,  and  the  town  would  indemnify  the 
committee.  They  also  raised  thirty  pounds  lawful 
money  to  pay  the  men  a  part  of  their  wages. 

Is  it  not  a  matter  of  astonishment  how  this  town, 
poor  and  oppressed  as  it  was  with  the  public  burdens 
of  those  times,  ever  succeeded  in  defraying  them,  with- 


66  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

out  leaving  a  large  debt  for  their  posterity  to  cancel  ? 
But  it  appears  that  they  did.  They  must  have  been 
better  economists  than  we  are,  or  it  never  could  have 
been  done.  In  the  midst  of  all  their  poverty  and 
privations,  they  seemed  to  be  looking  forward  into 
futurity,  and  making  calculations  for  after-ages,  as 
well  as  for  their  own  convenience. 

In  September  of  this  year,  they  called  a  town 
meeting,  and  chose  a  committee  of  three  to  petition 
the  General  Court  to  set  off  the  north-west  part  of 
the  county  of  Worcester,  and  the  north-east  part  of 
Hampshire,  into  a  separate  county.  Here  follows  the 
petition  :  — 

"At  a  town-meeting  held  in  Warwick,  Sept.  19,  1781, 
taking  into  consideration  the  many  hardships  and  dis- 
advantages incident  to  individuals,  as  well  as  towns  and 
places,  when  their  situation  is  remote  from  county  adminis- 
tration. Such  is  the  case  with  this  town,  that  the  iphabit- 
ants  cannot  make  any  tide  to  their  lands  without  going 
sixty  miles  to  get  their  deeds  recorded  ;  and  all  probate 
business,  as  well  as  other  county  matters,  are  finished  at  a 
great  distance.  Which  burden,  in  addition  to  our  propor- 
tion in  the  common  cause,  renders  the  inhabitants  of  this 
town,  and  others  in  like  circumstances,  unable  to  continue 
their  exertions  with  the  people  and  towns  who  are  at  little 
or  no  expense  to  do  such  business." 

The  committee  were  instructed  to  write  to  the 
towns  of  Hardwick,  Barre,  Hubbardston,  Templeton, 
Winchendon,  Petersham,  Athol,  and  Royalston,  in  the 
county  of  Worcester  ;  and  to  Greenwich,  New  Salem, 
Shutesbury,  Wendell,  and  Erving's   Grant,  and  such 


HISTORY    OF    WARWICK.  67 

Other  towns  as  they  shall  think  proper,  to  unite  with 
them  in  petitioning  the  General  Court  to  accomplish 
their  object ;  also  to  meet  delegates  from  those  towns 
at  Samuel  Peckham's  tavern  in  Petersham,  on  the  sixth 
day  of  November  following,  at  ten  o'clock,  a.m.,  to 
consult  on  the  best  method  of  proceeding. 

In  October  this  year,  the  town  voted  to  set  off  four 
thousand  and  sixty  acres  of  land  (as  exhibited  on  a 
plan  shown  by  Elijah  Ball),  with  the  inhabitants  on  the 
same,  to  be  incorporated  into  a  town  with  other  lands 
from  Athol,  Royalston,  and  Erving's  Grant.  This  town 
was  called  Orange. 


1782. 

In  1782,  Mr,  Moses  Leonard  gave  the  town  what  is 
now  the  north  part  of  the  burying-ground,  on  con- 
dition that  the  town  will  fence  the  same  with  a  good 
fence  fronting  the  road,  with  posts  and  two  rails  and  a 
suitable  wall  under  the  same  ;  he  reserving  the  privi- 
lege of  feeding  the  same  with  neat  cattle  and  sheep 
only. 

Many  of  the  bodies  of  the  dead  were  dug  up,  and 
removed  by  their  friends  from  the  first  burial  ground 
to  the  present  place  of  interment. 

At  the  May  meeting  this  year,  Capt.  John  Golds- 
bury  was  chosen  representative,  and  a  committee  was 
chosen  to  draw  instructions  for  the  representative,  to 
be  laid  before  the  town  for  their  approbation  ;  and  the 
meeting  was  adjourned  until  the  next  Thursday,  to 
hear  them.     They  are  as  follows,  viz. :  — 


68  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

To  Capt.  John  Goldsbury, — 

Sir,  —  You  being  chosen  to  represent  us  in  the  General 
Court  of  this  Commonwealth,  we,  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Warwick,  do  give  you  the  following  instructions: 
viz.,  That  you  do  your  endeavor  that  the  sums  apportioned 
on  us  of  the  public  charges  be  lessened,  as  we  think  that 
they  are  more  than  our  part,  according  to  our  ability.  That 
the  governor,  council,  senate,  and  all  other  men  in  this 
State  that  are  under  public  pay,  be  lessened  to  a  reasonable 
rate.  That  the  charges  annually  arising  be  ascertained. 
That  you  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  treasury,  and  of  what 
money  hath  been  granted,  and  how  applied.  That  all  men 
unnecessarily  employed  in  public  business  be  dismissed. 
That  the  General  Court  be  removed  out  of  Boston  into 
some  other  town." 

These  instructions  have  been  copied  as  a  specimen 
of  the  fashion  of  the  times  ;  and  also  hoping,  that,  from 
these  blunt  hints,  those  now  in  public  business  might 
gather  some  instruction  from  it. 


1783- 


The  north  and  north-west  part  of  the  town  (viz. 
school  districts,  Nos.  7,  8,  and  10,  as- they  now  are) 
were  divided  in  1783,  and  the  line  between  them  was 
as  follows :  viz.,  "  The  line  to  be  from  what  is  called 
Bennett's  Knob,  Mount  Grace,  and  to  extend  to  Jona- 
than Smith's  south-west  corner,  and  to  extend  in  a 
straight  line  to  said  Smith's  south-east  corner,  and 
thence  northerly  the  same  point  to  the  State-line." 

At  the  May  meeting  this  year,  it  was  voted  that  the 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  69 

"  Selectmen  be  directed  to  write  in  their  returns  to 
the  General  Court,  that,  considering  the  extreme  pov- 
erty of  the  town,  they  have  not  chosen  a  represen- 
tative the  present  year." 

'  June  23  of  this  year,  in  town-meeting,  it  was  voted 
"  That  the  new  plantation  (Orange)  called  South 
Warwick  be  districted  to  the  town  of  Warwick,  with 
the  privilege  of  joining  with  us  in  the  choice  of  a 
representative,  but  to  act  with  us  in  no  town  affairs 
whatever." 

1784. 

On  the  20th  of  January,  the  town  chose  Thomas 
Rich  and  Capt.  Peter  Proctor,  a  committee  to  assist 
the  selectmen  in  procuring  the  best  account  of  the 
charges  that  have  arisen  during  the  war.  (No  report 
found.) 

On  the  3d  of  May,  the  district  of  Orange  was 
summoned  for  the  first  time  to  meet  with  the  town 
of  Warwick  to  choose  a  representative  ;  and  Dea. 
James  Ball  was  chosen.  This  year  we  find  an  account 
exhibited  by  Mr.  Isaac  Hastings,  which  at  this  day 
would  appear  novel ;  viz.,  "  To  taking  care  of  the 
meeting-house  and  mending  the  doors,  eight  shillings. 
To  making  a  tythingman's  club  and  a  warden's  staff, 
two  shillings."     (The  account  was  allowed.) 


1785- 

This  year  the  town  was  divided  into  nine  school- 
districts  by  a  committee,  who  named  the  inhabitants 


70  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

that  should  belong  to  each  ;  and  in  this  imperfect  man- 
ner they  have  remained  ever  since,  excepting  some 
small  alteration,  and  a  division  of  the  north-west  dis- 
trict, making  ten  in  the  whole. 

In  August  a  meeting  was  called  to  see  what  the- 
town  would  do  with  William  Houghton's  rates  ;  and  it 
was  "  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  chosen  to  inspect 
and  oversee  William  Houghton,  and  see  that  the  pro- 
duce of  his  labor  be  appropriated  towards  paying  his 
taxes  as  far  as  may  be  ;  and  if  the  produce  of  his  labor 
finally  fails,  and  his  taxes  cannot  be  recovered,  the 
town  shall  indemnify  the  constables  respecting  his 
taxes." 

1786. 

In  1786,  the  inhabitants  met  in  town-meeting,  and 
chose  Capt.  John  Goldsbury  as  a  suitable  person  to 
be  commissioned  as  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  for- 
warded a  petition  to  the  governor,  in  recommenda- 
tion of  him.  A  minority  of  the  voters  protested  against 
the  proceedings,  declaring  that  a  justice  of  the  peace 
could  not  be  chosen  by  the  town  constitutionally. 

About  this  time  the  public  mind  was  considerably 
agitated  by  a  rebellion  of  a  part  of  the  good  citizens 
of  Massachusetts.  The  insurgents,  with  one  Daniel 
Shays,  a  native  of  Pelham,  at  their  head,  threatened 
to  break  up  the  government  of  the  State,  and  to  put 
down  all  the  authority  of  its  members.  They  actually 
assembled  a  considerable  force  ;  and  for  a  while  they 
increased  in  numbers  to  such  a  degree  as  actually  to 
spread  terror  and  dismay  through  the  Commonwealth. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  71 

The  government  raised  a  large  body  of  men  to  quell 
them,  and  several  lives  were  lost  before  they  were 
brought  to  terms.  This  town  did  not  escape  the 
shock,  being  considerably  divided.  Some  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  rebels;  while  others  stood  by  their 
rulers. 

Several  town-meetings  were  called  ;  they  chose  a 
delegate  to  send  to  a  convention  in  Hatfield,  to  devise 
means  to  allay  the  disturbance.  Mr.  Jacob  Packard 
was  the  delegate  chosen.  They  called  a  town-meet- 
ing to  see  if  the  town  would  assist  the  selectmen,  they 
having  been  imprisoned  for  acting  in  their  office. 
But  the  article  was  passed  over. 

In  September,  1786,  there  is  an  agreement  with 
Capt.  Samuel  Langley  to  build  a  new  meeting-house 
recorded  as  follows,  viz.  :  — 

"The  house  to  be  fifty-eight  feet  long  and  forty-two  feet 
wide,  with  a  porch  on  the  front  of  the  house,  sufficient  to 
contain  convenient  stairs  to  go  up  into  the  galleries. 
There  is  to  be  forty  pews  on  the  lower  floor  (agreeable  to  a 
plan  herewith  exhibited)  ;  there  is  to  be  galleries  in  the 
front,  and  at  each  end  of  the  house,  fourteen  feet  wide  from 
the  wall,  with  pews  on  the  back  of  said  galleries,  five  feet 
eight  inches  wide  from  the  wall ;  the  rest  of  the  gallery  to  be 
seats  with  a  convenient  alley  round,  agreeable  to  a  plan 
herewith  submitted.  The  seats  in  the  front  gallery  to  be 
for  singers  to  sit  in  ;  the  seats  in  the  side  galleries  to  be  for 
persons  to  sit  in,  as  the  Congregational  Society  shall  direct. 
The  house  to  be  completely  finished  off  by  the  first  day  of 
September,  1788,  in  the  following  form  and  manner:  viz.. 
The  pews  to  be  with  wainscot  work,  with  frieze  panels  or 
banisters,  and  one  seat  in  each  pew.     The   front,  of  the 


72  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

body-seats  and  the  deacons'  seat  to  be  wainscot-work,  with 
a  convenient  communion-table.  The  body-seats  on  the 
lower  floor,  and  the  seats  in  the  gallery,  to  be  all  framed. 
The  pulpit  to  be  built  after  the  Doric  order,  with  fluted  pil- 
lars, and  architraves  by  the  sides  of  the  window.  The  bot- 
tom of  the  canopy  to  be  an  octagon  panel  in  the  centre. 
The  remaining  part  by  the  same  rule,  the  top  to  be  turned 
with  an  O.  G.  ;  the  entablature  to  be  by  the  Corinthian 
order,  except  the  modillion  ;  the  breast-work  of  the  gal- 
leries to  be  one  wide  panel  with  dental  cornices,  and  built 
with  six  turned  pillars  under  the  galleries,  and  panel  pil- 
lars over  the  same  on  the  breast-work.  One  eight-panel 
door  at  each  end  of  the  house,  with  pediments  and  double 
architraves.  One  double  door  and  two  single  doors  to  the 
porch,  with  architraves,  cornice,  and  caps ;  double  doors 
with  six  panels  each  at  the  entrance  of  the  house,  out  of 
the  porch,  above  and  below.  The  frame  to  be  as  follows  : 
The  sills  to  be  of  yellow  pine,  nine  by  ten  inches  square. 
Five  lower  summers  to  be  twelve  inches  square.  Four  cor- 
ner posts  ten  inches  square  ;  to  be  oak,  with  cock  tenons. 
Eight  pine  cock-tenon  posts  ten  inches  square.  Four  prick 
posts  ten  inches  square.  Eight  pair  of  rafters  nine  by  ten 
inches  square.  Six  pair  of  compass  rafters.  Four  king- 
posts broad  studded,  twelve  inches  over  on  each  side  ;  the 
joists  in  the  lower  floor  to  be  within  two  feet  of  each  other, 
and  those  in  the  roof  to  be  three  feet  from  each  other.  The 
house  to  be  braced  up  and  down,  in  every  place  where  the 
windows  and  doors  will  admit.  The  boards  on  the  roof  to 
be  jointed.  The  roof  to  be  shingled  with  good  fifteen-inch 
shingles,  with  double  cornice  at  the  gable  ends,  with  one 
compass  window  in  each  gable  end  ;  thirty-three  windows 
in  the  body  of  the  house,  of  twenty-four  squares  in  each 
window  of  eight  by  ten  London  crown  or  Bristol  glass,  with 
good  frames,  cornice,  and  solid  caps  ;  and   one  window  in 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  73 

the  porch  of  the  house ;  and  the  porch  to  be  clapboarded 
with  good  sound  clapboards  planed.  The  floor  to  be  dou- 
ble, the  upper  floor  to  be  jointed,  the  pew  floors  to  be 
jointed  and  planed.  The  gallery  floor  to  be  double.  The" 
ceiling  over  the  body  of  the  house  and  under  the  galleries, 
and  the  walls  (except  the  board  ceiling  from  the  floors),  to 
be  lathed  and  plastered  The  house  and  porch  to  be  well 
underpinned  with  good  stones. 

"  And  the  said  Samuel  Langley  do  hereby  promise  and 
engage  to  build  the  house,  and  finish  it  off  workmanlike, 
agreeable  to. the  foregoing  directions,  by  the  time  before 
mentioned,  on  the  following  conditions :  viz.,  That  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  the  society  appear  to  purchase  tkirty-nine 
pews  on  the  lower  floor  (the  pew  next  adjoining  the  pulpit 
stairs  to  be  for  the  use  of  the  Congregational  minister  for 
the  time  being),  the  said  thirty-nine  pews  to  be  nine  pounds 
each  on  an  average,  and  to  be  paid  for  in  the  following 
manner  :  viz..  Two  pounds  in  cash  for  each  pew  when  the 
meeting-house  is  raised  ;  two  pounds  m*ore  for  each  pew 
when  they  are  finished  off ;  the  rest  of  the  pay  for  each  pew 
to  be  paid  for  in  neat  cattle,  sheep,  or  flax-seed,  at  the  cur- 
rent price  when  the  meeting-house  is  completely  finished. 
The  pews  in  the  gallery  to  be  five  pounds  each,  on  an  aver- 
age^ to  all  such  persons  that  return  their  names  to  the  com- 
mittee to  become  purchasers  by  the  fifth  day  of  October 
next.  After  that  day  any  person  may  purchase  any  of  the 
pews  in  the  gallery  of  the  said  Langley,  as  he  and  they  can 
agree  ;  as  those  pews  are  to  be  his  property  till  sold.  The 
body  seats  on  the  lower  floor  to  be  used  and  improved  by 
any  persons  that  shall  choose  to  occupy  them,  as  the  Con- 
gregational Society  shall  order.  And  I,  the  said  Samuel 
Langley,  do  further  agree  and  engage  that  I  will  receive  of 
the  purchasers  of  the  forementioned  pews,  towards  pay  for 
the  same,  the  following  materials,  at  the  prices  fixed  to  each 
7 


74  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

article,  of  each  man's  proportion  as  it  shall  be  apportioned 
by  the  Society's  committee,  if  each  person  shall  give  notice 
to  the  committee  by  the  first  day  of  November  next  that 
they  will  provide  their  said  proportion  of  the  materials  at 
the  spot  by  the  time  hereafter  prefixed.  And  if  any  person 
shall  neglect  to  notify  the  committee  as  aforesaid,  he  for- 
feits his  chance  of  paying  in  such  materials,  and  the  com- 
mittee may  employ  any  other  of  the  purchasers  of  pews  as 
they  shall  think  just ;  so  that  there  may  be  no  failure  of  the 
materials  being  all  on  the  spot  by  the  time  hereafter  men- 
tioned. The  materials  are  as  follows  :  viz..  Ten  thousand 
of  good  ceiling-beards,  one  inch  and  one-eighth  thick,  at 
one  pound,  ten  shillings.  Twenty-five  thousand  good  mer- 
chantable inch  boards,  at  one  pound,  five  shillings.  Five 
thousand  half-inch  pine  boards,  at  one  pound.  Nine  thou- 
sand half-inch  chestnut  boards,  at  one  pound.  Eight  thou- 
sand of  good  sawed  clapboards,  six  inches  wide,  at  one 
pound,  five  shillings.  Twenty-nine  thousand  of  good  fifteen- 
inch  shingles,  at  eight  shillings  per  thousand.  One  hun- 
dred pieces  of  slit- work  fourteen  feet  long,  four  by  five  inches, 
at  the  rate  of  twenty-eight  shillings  per  thousand.  Eighty 
pieces  fourteen  feet  long,  four  by  five,  at  twenty-six  shillings 
per  thousand.  Thirty  pieces  twelve  feet  long,  four  by  four, 
twenty-six  shillings  per  thousand.  Sixty  pieces,  nine  feet 
long,  three  by  five,  same  price.  Ten  hogsheads  of  good 
stone  lime,  at  two  pounds,  fourteen  shillings,  per  hogshead. 
And  if  any  of  the  proprietors  of  pews  shall  see  fit  to  pay 
any  of  the  following  articles  at  the  prices  thereto  affixed, 
towards  paying  for  their  pews,  I  will  receive  the  same,  and 
receipt  on  delivery,  and  receive  their  receipt  in  pay  for  their 
pews.  The  articles  are  as  follows:  viz..  Six  thousand  of 
double  tens  at  thirteen  shillings  per  thousand.  Thirty 
thousand  tenpenny  nails,  at  nine  shillings  per  thousand. 
Nmety-four  thousand  fourpenny  nails,  at  three  shillings  and 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  75 

four  pence  per  thousand.  Five  thousand  of  fivepenny 
brads,  at  six  shillings  per  thousand.  Three  thousand  of 
threepenny  brads,  at  three  shillings  per  thousand.  Sixty- 
two  pair  of  pew-door  hinges,  at  one  shilling  and  four  pence 
per  pair.  Six  boxes  of  London  crown  or  Bristol  glass, 
eight  by  ten  size,  at  five  pounds,  two  shillings,  per  hundred 
feet.  The  pews  in  the  gallery  that  are  purchased  by  the 
first  day  of  October  next  to  be  paid  for  in  the  following 
manner  :  viz.,  One  dollar  in  cash  when  the  meeting-house  is 
raised,  and  one  dollar  more  when  the  pews  are  finished  ; 
the  next  to  be  paid  in  neat  stock,  sheep,  or  flax-seed,  when 
the  meeting-house  is  completely  finished.  The  slit-work  to 
be  at  the  spot  by  the  first  day  of  May  next.  The  boards, 
shingles,  and  clapboards,  by  the  first  day  of  June  next. 
The  lime  by  the  first  day  of  September  next. 

"  And  I,  the  said  Samuel  Langley,  do  further  agree  and 
promise,  that  if  there  should  be  any  donations  in  labor  or  in 
any  other  way  given  towards  the  meeting-house,  that  I  will 
render  an  account  to  the  committee  of  the  same,  towards 
the  pay  of  the  thirty-nine  pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and  in 
the  gallery,  as  it  shall  be  apportioned  by  the  committee. 

"  And  I,  the  said  Samuel  Langley,  do  agree  that  the  com- 
mittee shall  inspect  and  view  the  workmanship  and  materi- 
als of  the  meeting-house  when  finished  ;  and  if  they  judge 
that  there  is  any  deficiency  in  the  work  or  materials,  that  I 
will  leave  the  matter  out  to  disinterested  persons  that  under- 
stand such  business,  that  the  committee  and  I  shall  mutu- 
ally choose ;  and  I  will  oblige  myself  to  abide  their  judg- 
ment. "  As  witness  my  hand, 

"  Samuel  Langley. 

"  Warwick,  Sept.  15,  1786." 

And  further  respecting  the  meeting-house,  it  vi^as 
first  decided  to  face  it  to  the  west ;  but  afterwards  it 
was  agreed  to  face  it  to  the  south,  as  it  now  stands. 


76  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

A  meeting  was  called  in  August,  to  hear  the  peti- 
tion of  James  Ball  respecting  the  meeting-house,  which 
is  as  follows  :  viz.,  To  see  if  the  town  will  vote  to  take 
the  windows  that  are  in  the  old  meeting-house  in  War- 
wick, and  divide  them  equally  among  the  school-dis- 
tricts proportionally  as  the  school-wards  stand  on  the 
town  invoice  ;  and  also  proceed  to  sell  the  old  meet- 
ing-house for  what  it  will  fetch  at  vendue,  and  the 
money  or  securities  arising  by  the  sale  of  said  old 
meeting-house,  bring  into  the  town  treasury  of  War- 
wick, to  defray  the  public  charges  of  the  town,  or  other- 
wise dispose  of  the  said  meeting-house  as  the  town 
shall  see  fit,  on  condition  the  petitioners  produce  to 
the  town  an  agreement  or  vote  of  the  Congregational 
Society  in  Warwick,  that  all  persons  of  any  denom- 
ination of  Christians  in  Warwick  may  and  shall  have 
free  liberty  to  meet  with  the  said  Congregational  So- 
ciety on  the  Lord's  days  and  other  times,  for  public 
worship  in  the  new  meeting-house  ;  and  that  the  town 
may  and  shall  have  the  same  right  to  meet  in  the  new 
meeting-house  in  Warwick  at  all  times  hereafter,  to 
transact  the  town's  public  business,  as  the  town  now 
has  in  the  old  meeting-house. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  proposed,  whether  the  town 
would  give  the  old  meeting-house  to  the  proprietors 
of  the  new  one,  on  condition  that  the  Society  give  to 
the  town  of  Warwick  a  good  deed  of  all  the  privileges 
in  the  new  meeting-house,  agreeable  to  a  vote  of  the 
Society  ;  and  this  vote  passed  in  the  affirmative. 

At  this  meeting  the  selectmen  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  receive  the  deed  for  the  town  from  the  So- 
ciety. 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


77 


It  appears  that  Capt.  Langley  built  the  above-men- 
tioned meeting-house,  by  the  job,  for  the  sum  of 
fifteen  hundred  dollars  ;  and  the  thirty-nine  pews  on 
the  lower  floor  at  nine  pounds  each,  and  twenty  pews 
in  the  gallery  at  five  pounds  each,  make  but  a  trifle 
over  this  sum.  The  pews  were  called  equal  in  value  ; 
and  the  members  of  the  society  cast  lots  for  the  first 
choice  on  the  lower  floor.  Old  Mr.  Thomas  Gould 
got  the  first  choice  ;  and  he  chose  the  pew  where  Mr. 
Elijah  Fisk  now  sits,  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the 
broad  aisle  near  the  centre  of  the  house.  Mr.  Moses 
Fay  had  the  last  choice, —  "  Hobson's  choice,"  — that  or 
none  ;  and  he  had  the  south-west  corner  pew.  Capt. 
Langley  made  a  losing  job,  as  he  had  the  gallery 
pews  at  five  pounds  each  ;  and  they  were  not  all  sold 
for  many  years,  and  then  at  a  very  low  price  ;  and  his 
loss  was  increased  by  his  losing  his  dwelling-house, 
with  the  principal  part  of  his  furniture,  by  fire  ;  and  he 
had  almost  finished  all  the  pews  and  doors  for  the 
meeting-house,  which  were  all  thus  suddenly  con- 
sumed. The  Society  made  him  some  remuneration, 
but  not  enough  to  compensate  his  loss. 


1787. 

In  March,  1787,  the  town  assembled  as  usual,  and, 
for  some  cause  now  unknown,  adjourned  the  meeting 
until  April  ;  and  at  this  meeting  it  was  insisted  on, 
that  the  meeting  should  be  regulated  according  to  an 
act  of  the  General  Court,  published  in  February,  1786. 
Whereupon  the  selectmen  and  assessors  exhibited  a 


78  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

list  of  voters,  which  was  read  ;  and,  after  some  debate, 
it  was  moved  that  a  vote  should  be  taken,  whether  the 
town  would  proceed  ;  and  it  passed  in  the  affirmative. 
And  the  records  say,  that  "  Maj.  Joseph  Mayo  protested 
against  the  meeting."  This  transaction  is  noted,  be- 
cause it  was  the  first  time  a  list  of  voters  was  read  in 
town-meeting  in  this  place,  and  also  to  show  the  pro- 
pensity of  mankind  to  oppose  and  object  to  every 
thing  new,  right  or  wrong.  The  assessors'  account 
for  the  last  years  service  was  allowed,  it  being  only 
one  pound,  twelve  shillings,  each.  At  the  close  of  the 
record  of  this  meeting,  it  is  stated,  "  That  the  above 
chcfsen  officers  in  general  have  taken  their  respective 
oaths."  "The  officers  required  by  law  have  taken 
and  subscribed  the  oath  of  allegiance." 

A  meeting  was  called  in  August  to  choose  a  con- 
stable ;  and  the  fourth  article  in  the  warrant  is  here 
noted  for  its  novelty  ;  viz.,  "  To  hear  ajiy  request  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  or  act  any  thing 
thereon  as  the  town  shall  think  proper."  This  article 
must  have  been  broad  enough  to  have  satisfied  the 
most  querulous  and  gainsaying  without  any  additional 
words.     But  the  article  was  passed  over. 

Another  meeting  was  called  in  October,  one  article 
of  which  was  to  see  if  the  town  will  assist  the  select- 
men in  their  being  taken  and  imprisoned  in  May  last 
for  acting  in  their  office,  and  to  prosecute  those  per- 
sons that  took  them,  or  act  any  thing  on  that  matter 
that  the  town  shall  think  proper  ;  and  choose  attorney 
or  attorneys  to  carry  on  the  same,  as  the  town  shall 
think  fit.  Josiah  Cobb,  Thomas  Rich,  and  James 
Goldsbury,  were  the  selectmen  ;  and  I  have  never  been 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  79 

able  to  find  out  the  particulars  of  this  affair  of  impris- 
onment, but  suppose  it  originated  in  transactions  in 
the  Shays  Rebellion.  The  town,  however,  passed  the 
article  over. 

In  March,  1789,  we  have  the  first  record  of  peram- 
bulating the  town-Hnes.  That  part  of  the  line  between 
Warwick  and  Orange  was  perambulated  Dec.  26,  1788, 
by  James  Goldsbury  and  Mark  Moore  for  Warwick, 
and  Levi  Cheney  and  Joseph  Metcalf  for  Orange ; 
and  their  report  not  agreeing  with  the  act  of  incorpo- 
ration of  Orange,  is  the  original  source  of  the  difficulty 
that  now  exists  betvveen  the  towns,  respecting  the  lines 
between  them.  Capt.  John  Goldsbury  Was  chosen 
representative  to  Court. 


I  790. 

In  March,  1790,  the  town  voted  fifteen  pounds  for 
the  support  of  the  poor.  They  also  voted,  and  chose 
Josiah  Cobb,  James  Goldsbury,  and  Samuel  Langley, 
a  committee  to  stake  out  suitable  places  on  the  meet- 
ing-house common,  for  people  to  build  noon-houses 
and  stables  on,  if  requested  by  the  inhabitants. 

John  Goldsbury,  Esq.,  was  chosen  representative 
for  Warwick  and  Orange.  He  was  also  chosen  in 
1 79 1  and  1792.  In  1791  an  attempt  was  made  to 
form  a  new  county,  by  joining  with  a  part  of  Worces- 
ter County.  It  was  voted  this  year  that  the  school- 
money  be  divided  according  to  the  number  of  scholars 
in  the  several  wards,  and  the  selectmen  directed  to 
number  the  scholars  in  each  ward. 


8o  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

It  appears  that  the  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  had  been 
supported  by  a  fund  for  a  number  of  years.  This 
fund  was  created  in  the  following  manner :  Each 
individual  that  meant  to  support  him  gave  a  note  to 
a  committee  appointed  to  receive  them,  of  the  amount 
he  was  willing  to  put  in  ;  which  several  notes,  bearing 
interest  at  six  per  cent,  constituted  the  fund,  the  inter- 
est of  which  paid  the  salary,  so  that  each  man's  inter- 
est on  his  note  was  his  minister-tax.  In  August  this 
year,  it  was  voted  unanimously,  that  it  was  their  minds 
that  the  fund  that  was  raised  in  Warwick  for  the  sup- 
port of  a  Congregational  minister  ought  to  be  dissolved, 
on  condition  and  agreeable  to  the  petition  of  Ezra 
Conant  and  others,  and  for  the  future  a  gospel  minis- 
ter be  supported  agreeable  to  the  Constitution  of  this 
Commonwealth.  The  aforesaid  fund  had  been  legally 
incorporated  ;  and  Mr.  Ezra  Conant's  petition  was  one 
that  had  been  presented  to  the  General  Court  to  re- 
peal the  fund  act.  It  had  had  a  hearing,  and  an  order 
of  notice  had  been  served  on  the  town,  to  give  them 
a  chance  to  object  against  the  repeal  of  the  act  if  they 
thought  proper. 

In  November,  1792,  the  town  voted  for  electors  of 
president  and  vice-president  for  the  first  time,  an  act 
of  the  General  Court  having  authorized  them  to  do 
so  at  the  June  session  previous. 


1793. 

At  the  annual  meeting  this  year,  there  was  but  five 
pounds  raised  for  the  support  of  the  poor. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  8 1 

John  Goldsbury,  Esq.,  was  chosen  representative. 

This  year  a  committee  was  raised  by  the- town  to 
look  up  the  school  and  ministry  rights  of  land,  and  to 
see  what  had  been  done  respecting  the  sale  of  them. 
They  reported,  May  6,  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  that 
two  hundred  and  ninety-one  acres  of  the  school-land 
had  been  sold  for  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
pounds,  fourteen  shilhngs.  Lot  No.  26,  in  the  fifth 
division,  containing  fourteen  acres,  not  sold.  Also 
that  three  hundred  and  five  acres  of  the  ministry- 
land  had  been  sold  for  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine 
pounds. 

This  is  the  source  from  which  the  town  now  re- 
ceives interest-money  to  help  support  the  minister 
and  schools.  The  interest  we  receive  annually 
towards  supporting  the  minister  is  fifty-four  dollars  ; 
and  each  of  the  ten  school-districts  draws  three  dollars 
annually  from  the  school-fund,  making  thirty  dollars. 

This  year  the  town  voted  that  each  school-district 
should  draw  what  money  it  pays.  At  a  subsequent 
meeting,  they  voted  that  Mr.  Jonathan  Gale  be  em- 
powered to  provide  a  funeral  carriage.  Also  voted, 
and  chose  Dea.  James  Ball,  Capt.  Mark  Moore,  and 
Lieut.  Jonathan  Gale,  a  committee  to  divide  the  town, 
and  establish  a  line  between  the  two  militia  compa- 
nies. Previous  to  this,  there  had  been  two  companies  ; 
but  every  soldier,  when  he  became  liable  to  do  military 
duty,  had  his  choice  which  company  .to  join.  This  prac- 
tice gave  rise  to  some  unpleasant  feelings ;  as,  each  cap- 
tain or  commanding  officer  being  anxious  to  secure 
the  new  recruits,  means  were  sometimes  resorted  to 
which  could  not  be  justified  by  gentlemen  of  honor. 


82  HISTORY 'OF   WARWICK. 

But  this  intangible  line  had  the  same  effect  that  the 
stupendous  Chinese  wall  had  in  another  case  ;  and  the 
competition  ceased.  The  old  north  road  to  North- 
field,  and  the  road  to  Royalston,  by  Caleb  Mayo's, 
each  leading  from  the  meeting-house,  was  the  line 
established.  In  October,  the  town  was  convened  to 
choose  a  delegate  to  meet  a  Court's  committee  at  Asa- 
hel  Pomeroy's,  in  Northampton,  respecting  a  division 
of  the  County  of  Hampshire.  John  Goldsbury,  Esq., 
was  chosen,  and  instructed  to  oppose  the  division, 
stating  that  they  considered  it  would  be  detrimental 
to  the  town  and  the  county  at  large. 


1794. 

This  year  John  Goldsbury,  Esq.,  was  again  chosen 
representative.  Eight  pounds,  three  shillings,  were 
voted  to  pay  Jonathan  Gale  for  the  funeral  carriage. 
It  was  also  voted  to  build  a  house  for  said  carriage  ; 
which  was  put  up  at  auction,  and  struck  off  to  David 
Mayo  for  five  pounds,  two  shillings.  This  year  the 
town  chose  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mark  Moore, 
Caleb  Mayo,  and  Abraham  Gale,  to  invite  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Reed  to  extend  the  relation  subsisting  between 
him  and  the  Congregational  Society  in  Warwick  to 
the  town,  so  that  he  might  be  the  town's  minister, 
instead  of  the  Society's,  upon  the  town's  agreeing  to 
pay  him  his  salary ;  with  a  proviso,  that  all  persons  of 
other  denominations  were  to  be  exempted  from  taxa- 
tion for  ministerial  purposes.  The  town  then  agreed 
to  pay  him  seventy  pounds  in  silver,  at  six  shillings 


HISTORY  OF   WARWICK.  83 

and  eight  pence  per  ounce,  and  twenty  cords  of  mer- 
chantable wood  yearly,  and  every  year,  so  long  as  he 
shall  remain  their  minister.  And  they  also  voted, 
that  he  should  have  the  money  that  the  ministry-lots 
of  land  were  sold  for,  by  giving  good  security  therefor, 
and  deducting  the  interest  out  of  his  salary  yearly. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  returned  the  following  an- 
swer :  — 


"  Gentlemen,  —  I  have  received  by  your  committee  the 
explanation  of  your  grant  of  my  salary,  and  also  the  addi- 
tional grant  of  the  improvement  of  the  ministry  money  on 
the  mentioned  conditions,  and  am  happy  in  the  confidence 
I  find,  after  so  long  a  connection  and  acquaintance,  you  still 
place  in  me.  And  now  I  freely,  and  agreeably  to  your  re- 
quest, extend  my  ministerial  relation  to  all  the  Congrega- 
tional inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  and  will  endeavor 
faithfully  to  discharge  my  trust,  as  far  as  my  many  imper- 
fections will  admit,  charitably  trusting  that  I  shall  meet  with 
that  friendship  and  candor  which  is  so  absolutely  necessary 
for  enjoyment  and  happiness  in  such  a  relation.  My 
friends,  if  we  all  study  those  things  that  make  for  peace,  "we 
shall  gahi  the  invaluable  Pearl ;  and  the  God  of  love  and 
peace  who  has  so  long  propitiously  beheld  this  church,  we 
may  humbly  hope,  will  grant  that  we  still  rejoice  under  his 
smiles  ;  and  on  his  wisdom  and  goodness  may  we  constantly 
rely,  in  humble  and  cheerful  obedience  to  his  will.  May 
his  grace  be  sufficient  for  us,  to  lead,  protect,  and  defend 
us  in  this  militant  state ;  may  we  grow  in  knowledge  and 
every  Christian  virtue,  and  finally  come  to  the  stature  of  per- 
fect men  in  Christ,  and  be  thought  worthy  to  join  his  church 
above ! 

"  To  this  our  great  God  and  King,  and  to  the  mercy  of  his 


84  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

grace,  I  commend  you,  and  desire  to  be  commended  by  you ; 
and  under  him,  and  depending  on  his  promises,  I  subscribe 
myself  your  sincere  and  humble  servant, 

"  Samuel  Reed. 
"Nov.  3,  1794." 


Mr.  Reed's  salary  was  to  commence  at  the  above 
date.  The  town  chose  a  committee,  consisting  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Reed,  John  Goldsbury,  Esq.,  and  Capt. 
Mark  Moore,  to  petition  the  General  Court  to  repeal 
the  act  whereby  the  Congregational  Society  in  War- 
wick was  incorporated,  and  a  fund  raised,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  gospel  ministry. 


1795. 

This  year  there  was  a  town-meeting,  called  to 
collect  the  sentiments  of  the  town  on  the  expediency 
of  amending  the  Constitution.  Twenty-one  voted 
in  favor  of  amendment,  and  nineteen  against  it.  John 
Goldsbury,  Esq.,  was  chosen  representative.  On 
May  1 1  the  town  empowered  the  selectmen  to  lease 
out  that  part  of  the  Common  west  of  the  road,  for  any 
term  of  time  not  exceeding  twenty  years.  They  also 
empowered  them  to  exchange  lands  with  Josiah 
Pomeroy,  jun.,  in  order  to  straighten  the  line  between 
the  said  town  and  the  said  Pomeroy. 

The  town  granted  twenty  dollars  to  erect  guide- 
posts,  —  the  first  that  had  been  erected  by  law.  They 
also  reconsidered  a  former  vote  to  build  a  stone  pound, 
and  voted  to  build  one  of  wood  ;  said  pound  was  to  be 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  85 

thirty  feet  square,  and  well  framed,  and  handsomely 
underpinned  with  stones  ;  the  sills  to  be  eight  by  ten 
inches  square,  the  rails  to  be  three  by  five  inches,  and 
the  plates  six  by  seven  inches  square  ;  and  it  was  put 
up  at  auction  to  the  lowest  bidder,  and  struck  off  to 
Gilbert  Mellen  for  thirteen  dollars  and  eighty-three 
cents. 

1796. 

In  April  the  town  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a 
committee  to  sell  school-lot  No.  26,  at  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  meeting.  Nathaniel  Cheney  (of  Orange) 
represented  the  district. 


1797. 

It  was  voted  to  raise  thirty  pounds  for  killing  wild- 
cats the  year  past,  and  to  continue  the  bounty,  at 
twenty  shillings  per  head,  the  coming  year. 

The  town  allowed  the  assessors  for  taking  the  in- 
voice and  assessing  the  taxes  in  1796,  ten  days,  at 
eighty  cents  per  day.  Considerable  difficulty  existed 
in  the  town  about  this  time,  in  regard  to  the  school 
districts.  The  districts  No.  2  and  No.  3  had  been 
joined  together,  and  afterwards  separated.  They 
could  not  agree  where  to  build  the  schoolhouse  in 
No.  2  ;  and  the  town  voted  and  chose  Dea.  Chamber- 
lain of  Winchester,  Maj.  Alexander  of  Northfield,  and 
Oliver  Chapin  of  Orange,  to  decide  the  dispute,  and 
assign  the  spot  to  build  upon,  the  district  to  pay  the 
expense.     Oliver  Chapin  was  chosen  representative. 


86  HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 

The  town  voted  one  hundred  dollars  in  addition  to 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Reed's  salary. 

1798. 

William  Heath  had  fifty-eight  votes  for  governor, 
and  fifty-seven  for  lieutenant-governor. 

Josiah  Cobb  was  chosen  representative. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  considering  that  the  town 
did  not  support  him  agreeable  to  their  first  contract, 
requested  an  article  to  be  inserted  in  the  warrant  to 
dismiss  him  from  the  ministry ;  but,  on  the  particular 
request  of  his  friends,  he  had  the  article  withdrawn. 

Nov.  5,  this  year,  it  was  voted  to  discharge  the  tax 
on  dogs  by  one  day's  work  on  the  highways  for  each 
dog ;  and  that  they  fetch  a  certificate  from  the  high- 
way surveyor  under  whom  they  work  to  the  selectmen, 
certifying  that  the  services  are  done. 


1799. 

A  committee  was  chosen  to  look  into  the  situation 
of  the  school  districts  ;  and  they  reported  to  have  the 
town  divided  into  seven  districts,  and  each  one  to 
draw  an  equal  share  of  the  school-money.  They  also 
voted  and  chose  a  committee  to  appraise  the  school- 
houses,  and  another  to  see  what  articles  are  neces- 
sary for  building  new  schoolhouses,  and  to  put  up  the 
stuff  at  vendue,  and  the  work  also. 

It  was  afterwards  voted  to  have  the  districts  remain 
as  they  were  ;  viz.,  that  there  should  be  nine. 

Oliver  Chapin  was  chosen  representative. 


HISTORY    OF   WARAVICK.  '        87 

I  800. 

The  town  voted  not  to  choose  a  representative  this 
year. 

1801. 

It  was  voted  to  raise  four  hundred  dollars  to  pay  for 
preaching,  and  each  denomination  to  draw  what  they 
pay. 

1802. 

Josiah  Cobb  was  chosen  representative. 

A  committee  was  raised,  consisting  of  Mark  Moore, 
Peter  Proctor,  Josiah  Pomeroy,  Jacob  Rich,  Caleb 
Mayo,  Asa  Conant,  and  Ebenezer  Williams,  to  look  into 
the  state  of  the  treasury,  and  to  make  a  report  what 
sums  there  are  that  belong  to  the  ministry,  and  what 
other  unappropriated  moneys  were  to  be  found  there. 
The  committee  subsequently  reported  that  there  was 
$1,222.85  ;  that  $'](^6.6j  had  been  received  from  the 
sales  of  the  ministerial  lands,  and  $499  from  the  sale 
of  the  school-lands  ;  that  there  was  $332.85  of  unap- 
propriated money  in  the  treasury,  besides  Mr.  Hedge's 
donation,  which  amounted  to  $93.33.  This  donation, 
as  we  have  been  informed,  was  from  Mr.  Elisha 
Hedge,  the  father  of  Rev.  Lemuel  Hedge,  our  first 
minister.  We  have  never  learned  the  amount  of  this 
gift,  but  have  found  in  the  old  Congregational  society's 
records,  that  a  committee  was  chosen,  consisting  of 
Dea.  James  Ball,  Col.  Samuel  Williams,  and  Joseph 


88  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Mayo,  to  send  a  letter  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Hedge  for  his 
generous  donation  towards  the  fund.  This  was  the 
1 2th  of  August,  1779.  The  presumption  is,  that  it 
was  a  sum  that,  with  the  interest  added,  after  the  dis- 
solution of  the  fund  to  the  time  of  this  report,  which 
is  dated  March  31,  1803,  would  amount  to  ^93.33. 

The  committee  reported  that  there  was  a  deficiency 
of  the  money  that  the  ministry  and  school  lands  sold 
for  of  $166.15.  The  town  voted  to  raise  the  last- 
mentioned  sum,  and  to  have  it  placed  on  interest,  and 
to  be  applied  annually  for  the  use  of  schooling.  Here 
terminates  the  continual  strife  and  fluctuation  of  our 
funds  in  this  town  j  and  from  this  date  we  may  con- 
sider them  settled,  permanent,  and  secure,  amounting 
to  $1,383. 


1805. 

In  1805  a  town-meeting  was  called,  to  hear  a  circu- 
lar letter,  respecting  dividing  the  county  of  Hamp- 
shire ;  and  Caleb  Mayo  was  chosen  an  agent,  to  meet 
other  agents  at  Greenfield  to  petition  the  General 
Court  for  said  division.  The  division  was  not  effected 
at  this  time  ;  but  the  subject  was  frequently  agitated  : 
and  in  November,  18 10,  Justus  Russell,  Esq.,  was 
chosen  agent  for  the  town  ;  and  the  final  division  was 
consummated  in  18 12. 

In  1805  the  town  was,  perhaps,  as  much  divided  on 
political  matters  as  at  any  period  since  its  first  settle- 
ment. Federalists  and  Democrats  were  the  assumed 
names  of  the  parties ;  and  the  contention  ran  so  high. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  89 

that  fathers,  children,  brothers,  kinsmen,  and  fellow- 
townsmen,  when    convened    to    exercise  the  elective 
franchise,  appeared   more  like  angry  contending  foes, 
marshalled    in    battle-array,    than    like    freemen    and 
fellow-citizens.     There  was  no  neutral  ground.     Each 
party  had  for  its  motto,  "  He  that   is   not  for  us  is 
against  us."     The  regulations  of  the  law  made  it  neces- 
sary, that,  to  be  a  voter  in    the   choice    of  a   repre- 
sentative, you  "  must  be  a  resident  in  the  town  for  the 
space  of  one  year  next  preceding,  and  have  a  free- 
hold estate  within  the  town  of  the  annual  income  of 
ten  dollars,  or  any  estate  to  the  value  of  two  hundred 
dollars."     Very  few  were  to  be  found  that  could  not 
show  two  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  property  on  the 
day  of  election,  when  perhaps  the  day  before,  or  the 
day  after,  you  could  not  collect  a  just  debt  of  five 
dollars.     The  aged,  the  lame,  and  the  sick  were  alike 
compelled  "to  come  in,"  to  swell  and  strengthen  the 
one,  or  to  overpower  the  opposing  party.     The  parties 
were  almost  equally  balanced  here  :  while  the  district 
of  Orange  was  united  with  us  in  the  choice  of  a  rep- 
resentative ;  and  they  were  as  divided,  as  acrimonious, 
and  as  uncompromising,  as  we  were.     At    the    May 
meeting  this  year,  the  inhabitants  of  Warwick  and 
Orange  assembled    to   choose  a  representative.     All 
Yankees    are    naturally  jealous    of  their   rights    and 
liberty,  but    rendered    doubly  so    by  the    impulse    of 
party  feelings,  —  each  party  distrustful  of  the  other, 
and  each    determined    to   gain    the    ascendency,  and 
carry  the  vote.     The  presiding  officers,  for  the  time 
being,  were  critically  situated  ;    and,  do  right    or  do 
wrong,  bitter  imprecations  fell  on  their  devoted  heads. 


90 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


The  jealousy  and  distrust  ran  so  high,  that  they 
agreed  to  leave  the  meeting-house,  and  go  out  upon 
the  Common,  each  party  with  their  respective  leaders  : 
accordingly  they  marched  out  in  Indian  file,  and  pa- 
raded in  two  parallel  lines,  so  that  each,  being  single, 
might  put  in  his  vote  without  a  chance  for  deception, 
or  of  voting  twice  ;  and  each  might  be  counted,  viz. 
the  number  of  voters,  and  the  number  of  votes  given 
in.  The  town-clerk  and  selectmen  carried  the 
ballot-boxes  to  the  voters.  The  candidates  at  this 
election  were  Caleb  Mayo,  Esq.,  Federal ;  and  Eben- 
ezer  Williams,  Esq.,  Democratic.  On  ascertaining  the 
number  of  votes,  E.  Williams,  Esq.,  had  one  hundred 
and  forty-eight,  and  C.  Mayo,  Esq.,  had  one  hundred 
and  fifty-four,  and  was  chosen.  The  language  and 
looks  and  gestures  of  the  contending  parties  this 
day,  the  pen  of  a  Milton,  perhaps,  could  have  ade- 
quately described  ;  but  mine  would  fail  in  the  attempt. 


1806. 

In  1806  Caleb  Mayo,  Esq.,  and  Josiah  Cobb  Esq., 
were  the  opposing  candidates,  and  Esquire  Cobb  was 
chosen.  For  the  benefit  of  future  generations,  I  have 
now  recited  some  of  the  principal  incidents  in  this 
regularly  fought  battle  of  the  contending  political 
parties,  .presuming  that  no  other  record  of  it  is  now 
extant,  excepting  in  the  memories  of  our  fathers  and 
fellow-townsmen,  which  will  soon  be  lost  forever. 

Voted  to  repair  the  meeting-house,  and  to  accept  of 
the  request  of  Caleb  Mayo  and  others  for  the  town 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  91 

to  relinquish  their  right  and  privilege,  granted  them 
by  the  proprietors,  of  two  of  the  back  seats  on  each 
side  of  the  broad  aisle  on  the  lower  floor,  and  four- 
teen feet  of  the  seats  at  the  north  end  of  each  of  the 
side  galleries  in  said  meeting-house,  so  as  to  enable 
the  proprietors  to  erect  four  pews  on  the  lower  and 
four  pews  in  the  gallery  of  equal  size  of  the  other 
pews  in  said  house,  the  sale  of  which  to  defray  a  part 
of  the  expense  of  repairing  and  painting  said  house. 
These  petitioners  were  Caleb  Mayo,  Abraham  Ste- 
vens,- Daniel  Whitney,  Jonathan  Blake,  Nathaniel 
G.  Stevens,  Benjamin  Conant,  Josiah  Smith,  Eben- 
ezer  Williams,  Zachariah  Barber,  and  John  Gale. 

Caleb  Mayo,  Esq.,  William  Cobb,  jun.,  and  Perez 
Allen,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  superintend  the 
repairing  of  the  meeting-house.  In  December  the 
town  voted  their  consent  that  the  Baptist  society, 
which  was  partly  in  Warwick  and  partly  in  Royalston, 
should  be  incorporated. 


1807. 

The    town  voted    two    hundred    dollars  to    pay  for 
repairing  the  meeting-house. 


1808. 

This  year  the  town  of  Warwick  and  the  district  of 
Orange  voted  to  send  two  representatives  ;  and  chose 
Ebenezer  WiUiams,  Esq.,  and  Josiah  Cobb,  Esq.  (both 


92  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Democrats).  The  militia  companies  of  this  town 
were  called  to  Hadley  to  a  division-muster  this  year  ; 
and  the  town  voted  to  pay  the  officers  and  soldiers 
that  should  attend  said  muster  one  dollar  each  from 
the  treasury.  Also  the  town  voted  to  concur  with 
the  town  of  Boston  in  preferring  a  memorial  to  the' 
President  of  the  United  States  for  the  repeal  of  the 
embargo,  and  chose  Caleb  Mayo,  Josiah  Pomeroy, 
Josiah  Proctor,  Jonathan  Blake,  jun.,  and  Justus  Rus- 
sell, a  committee  to  prepare  a  memorial,  and  adjourned 
the  meeting  half  an  hour.  On  the  meeting  being 
opened,  the  following  petition  was  accepted  unani- 
mously :  — 

To  his  Excellency  Thomas  Jefferson^  President  of  the  United 
States. 

The  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Warwick, 
in  the  County  of  Hampshire  and  Commonwealth  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  legal  town  meeting  assembled,  beg  leave  to 
represent :  That  the  inconveniences  and  privations  of 
property  already  experienced  in  consequence  of  the  em- 
bargo on  the  vessels  and  export-trade  of  the  United  States 
fill  them  with  serious  apprehensions  for  the  evils  that  must 
necessarily  result  from  a  prohibition  of  the  exports  of  the 
surplus  produce  of  the  present  season. 

They  sincerely  regret  the  necessity  (if  such  existed)  of 
the  laws  laying  an  embargo  on  the  extensive  navigation  of 
the  United  States,  and  prohibiting  internal  intercourse. 
By  the  first,  the  commercial  enterprise  of  the  New-England 
States,  that  secured  to  the  farmer  a  sure  market  and  high 
price  for  his  produce,  is  wholly  destroyed  ;  and  the  grievous 
privations  occasioned  by  the  latter  have  produced  in  some  of 
the  less  patriotic  sufferers  a  relaxation  of  principles,  and  a 


HISTORY    OF    WARWICK.        •  93 

contempt  for  the  laws,  more  to  be  deplored  than  the  loss  of 
property,  and  more  to  be  feared  from  its  consequences  than 
from  the  hostility  of  any  nation  whatever.  That  professing 
a  firm  attachment  to  the  constitution  of  government,  under 
which  they  have  enjoyed  unexampled  prosperity  and  happi- 
ness, they  have  in  all  respects  observed  a  due  submission 
to  the  embargo  laws,  and  measures  of  your  administration, 
however -distressing  or  unequal  their  operation,  and  im- 
pressed at  all  times  with  the  feelings  and  sentiments  of  free- 
men, and  jealous  of  their  rights  as  independent  Republi- 
cans, will  ever  stand  ready  with  their  lives  and  fortunes  to 
support  the  constituted  authorities  of  their  country,  when- 
ever it  is  necessary  for  the  defence  of  those  rights  and 
privileges  so  essential  to  the  happiness  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  which  they  claim  an  equal  share.  They 
regret  the  necessity  they  are  under  of  calling  the  particular 
attention  of  your  Excellency  to  their  relief;  but  are  happy  in 
the  enjoyment  of  the  privilege  of  peaceably  and  respectfully 
petitioning  for  a  redress  of  grievances,  whenever  they  exist. 
And  as  our  national  legislature,  contemplating  a  change 
of  circumstances  that  might  render  the  embargo  unneces- 
sary, have  vested  in  you  the  power  of  suspending  its  opera- 
tions, and  humbly  conceiving  that  such  a  change  has  taken 
place  as  will  justify  the  measure,  they  have  a  full  confidence 
in  your  early  attention  to  the  true  interests  of  your  country, 
and  the  suffering  of  its  citizens. 

Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  your  Excellency,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  aforesaid  power,  to  suspend  the  operations  of 
the  embargo,  in  whole  or  in  part,  as  your  superior  wisdom 
shall  direct,  and  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

Which  was  signed  by  the  aforesaid  committee. 

It  was  then  voted  that  the  selectmen  sign  the  peti- 
tion, and  transmit  it  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States. 


94  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

l8l2. 

This  year  it  was  voted  that  the  selectmen  procure 
a  funeral  hearse  with  four  wheels  (the  former  funeral 
carriage  had  but  two)  ;  and  it  was  voted  to  raise  fifty 
dollars  to  pay  for  the  same.* 

On  the  thirty-first  day  of  July,  1812,  Rev.  Samuel 
Reed  died,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  having  been  minis- 
ter in  the  town  nearly  thirty-three  years.  In  Septem- 
ber the  town  voted  two  hundred  dollars  to  defray  his 
funeral  expenses,  and  to  procure  preaching  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  ;  and  chose  Caleb  Mayo,  Ebenezer 
Pierce,  Samuel  Ball,  Justus  Russell,  and  William  Cobb, 
a  committee  to  provide  some  person  or  persons  to 
supply  the  pulpit  until  the  next  annual  meeting. 

I  will  here  record  as  a  matter  of  history  a  brief  ^ac- 
count of  the  Franklin  Gla^s-Factory  Company's  pro- 
ceedings in  this  town,  with  the  rise  and  origin  of 
that  presumptuous  adventure,  its  short  but  moment- 
ous life,  its 'premature  and  lamented  death. 

This  year  Dr.  Ebenezer  Hall,  an  inhabitant  and 
practising  physician  in  this  town,  possessing  a  con- 
siderable share  of  natural  powers  of  mind,  and  a 
peculiarly  fascinating  and  alluring  address,  more  bril- 
liant than  solid,  more  theoretical  and  visionary  than 
practical  and  real,  conceived  the  idea  that  he  could 
make  glass.  After  a  few  experiments,  not,  however, 
attended  with  very  flattering  prospects  of  success,  he 
had  the  good  fortune  (or  rather  misfortune)  by  his 
persuasive  and  flattering  tongue  to  inspire  many  of 

*  This  hearse  is  the  same  that  we  now  use  ;  viz.,  1832. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  95 

his  neighbors  and  friends  with  a  belief  in  the  sound- 
ness of  his  theories,  and  the  certain  prospects  of  suc- 
cess that  awaited  them  provided  they  would  embark 
in  the  undertaking,  and  assist  him  to  erect  suitable 
buildings,  procure  workmen,  and  provide  materials. 
Numbers  of  the  solid  and  persevering  cultivators  of 
the  soil,  captivated  by  his  Utopian  schemes,  were  in- 
duced to  lay  aside  the  plough,  the  axe,  and  the  spade, 
and  mortgage  their  possessions,  and  lend  their  names 
and  their  influence  to  the  proposed  undertaking. 

After  considerable  delay  and  many  perplexing  oc- 
currences, they  succeeded  in  completing  the  buildings 
of  the  manufactory  and  dwellings  for  the  workmen  ; 
and,  haying  cast  sand  and  salt  and  potash  into  the  fire, 
it  came  out  glass. 

New  adventurers  were  added  to  the  list ;  and  consid- 
erate assistance  was  received  from  abroad  :  men  of 
wealth  and  ambition  were  induced  to  come  in  and 
share  in  the  prospective  dividends  that  so  surely 
awaited  them. 

They  finally  succeeded  in  making  excellent  cylin- 
der glass  ;  *  and  were  incorporated  by  the  General 
Court,  under  the  name  of  the  Franklin  Glass-Manu- 
facturing Company,  in  Warwick.  They  did  consider- 
able business  for  a  while,  having  obtained  the  confi- 
dence of  the  public  generally.  But  a  scarcity  of 
money  prevailing  in  the  community  tested  the  solv- 
ency of  their  capital :  the  banks  refused  to  discount 
for  a  while  ;  and  this  proved  a  death-blow  to  all  their 
operations.     The  fact  was,  that  the  business  had  been 

*  The  first  melting  of  glass  blown  here  was  on  Sunday,  Sept.  5,  1813. 


96  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

got  up  and  commenced  without  funds,  or  any  knowl- 
edge or  experience  in  the  art  of  manufacturing  glass  : 
they  had  procured  a  foreigner  (a  Scotchman)  of  con- 
siderable ability,  but  of  questionable  integrity,  to 
superintend  their  business,  both  in  erecting  the 
buildings,  and  superintending  the  workmen.  They 
paid  him  extravagant  wages  ;  and,  what  was  worse  than 
that,  they  were  subjected  to  his  complete  control,  not 
having  the  ability  or  power  to  calculate  for  themselves, 
for  want  of  knowledge  in  the  art :  they  were  conse- 
quently compelled  to  submit  to  his  directions,  and 
follow  his  ludicrous  whims,  however  expensive,  through- 
out all  their  various  operations,  to  the  no  small  detri- 
ment of  their  business  and  their  purse.  Workmen 
were  also  procured,  and  very  high  wages  paid  to  them, 
and  to  those  that  understood  blowing  glass  :  months 
passed  away  before  they  were  wanted  ;  and  large 
bounties  in  addition  to  all  this  were  paid  them  to  buy 
them  off  from  their  former  employers,  under  the  false 
pretext  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  procure  that 
particular  kind  of  artisans  unless  the  utmost  secrecy 
was  observed,  and  a  liberal  bonus  offered  as  a  tempta- 
tion to  induce  them  to  leave  other  factories,  and  re- 
move their  families  to  this  new  and  untried  scene  of 
operation. 

The  transactions  of  the  Company  had  been  carried 
on  hitherto  with  too  little  attention  to  economy, 
which  is  so  needful  and  necessary  in  all  such  estab- 
lishments,* especially  in  their  infancy  ;  and  it  could  not 
withstand,  all  circumstances  combined,  the  financial 
shock  ;  and  it  sank  to  rise  no  more.  Thus  ended  the 
speculations  of  the  time  :  thus  died  the  hopes  of  its 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  97 

friends  ;  and  thus  were  blighted  the  quixotic  visions  of 
its  deluded  projector.  But  the  void  that  remained 
after  their  dissolution  was  not  so  easily  to  be  filled  up 
—  in  particular,  the  ruined  fortunes  of  many  of  the 
industrious  inhabitants  of  this  town,  which  must 
require  years  of  untiring  industry  to  amend  and  re- 
trieve. 

In  December,  181 3,  the  town  voted  their  consent 
that  the  Universalist  society  in  said  town  should  be 
incorporated,  with  all  the  privileges  and  immunities 
granted  to  other  religious  societies. 


1814. 

This  year  the  present  pound  was  built :  it  was  put 
up  at  auction,  and  struck  off  to  Mr.  Elliot  Rawson 
for  thirty-eight  dollars. 

In  June  the  town  voted  unanimously  to  concur 
with  the  church  in  giving  the  Rev.  Preserved  Smith, 
jun.,  a  call  to  settle  in  the  gospel  ministry  in  the  town 
of  Warwick;  and  a  committee  of  nine  persons  was 
chosen  to  inform  Mr.  Smith  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
town  ;  viz.,  Caleb  Mayo,  Ebenezer  Pierce,  Samuel 
Ball,  Dr.  Medad  Pomeroy,  Jonathan  Blake,  Justus 
Russell,  William  Cobb,  Elijah  Fisk,  and  Perley  Leland. 
The  town  voted  to  grant  Mr.  Smith  five  hundred 
dollars  annually  for  an  encouragement  to  him  to  settle 
with  us  in  the  gospel  ministry,  and  to  pay  him  the 
first  year's  salary  quarterly. 

Sept.  5,  it  was  voted  to  accept  Mr.  Smith's  answer 
reported  by  the  committee  as  follows,  viz.  :  — 


98  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

To  the  Church  and  Society  in  the  To7vn  of  Warwick. 

My  Christian  Friends,  —  Having  received  by  your 
committee  an  invitation  to  settle  among  you  in  the  gospel 
ministry,  I  have  endeavored  to  bestow  all  that  attention  to 
the  subject  which  its  importance  demands.  If  I  rightly 
understand  the  purport  of  the  call  you  have  been  pleased 
to  give  me,  I  am  to  receive  my  stipend  annually,  so  long  as 
I  contirtue  your  pastor. 

Laying  the  above  construction  upon  the  subject,  I  do  now, 
after  having  earnestly  supplicated  wisdom  from  the  true 
source  of  all  perfection  to  direct  me  in  this  decision,  present 
you  with  this  notice  of  my  compliance  with  your  request. 
In  this  procedure  I  have  been  influenced  by  the  unanimous 
voice  which  so  far  prevailed  in  your  exertions  to  re-establish 
a  stated  ministry,  and  in  your  proceedings  towards  electing 
me  to  that  sacred  office.  And,  in  thus  complyiiig  with  your 
request,  I  trust  I  have  studied  duty  and  those  things  that 
may  promote  our  mutual  peace  and  happiness.  It  is  not 
without  fear  and  diffidence  that  I  accept  the  important  trust 
which  you  have  judged  expedient  to  devolve  upon  me  :  with 
diffidence,  lest  I  do  not  possess  those  endowments  which  are 
of  so  high  importance  in  constituting  a  faithful  and  success- 
ful minister  of  Christ ;  with  fear,  lest  I  should  not  discharge 
my  functions  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to  the  saving  of  your 
souls.  I  therefore  ask  your  Christian  candor  that  you 
would  look  on  me  as  composed  of  the  same  perishable 
materials  as  yourselves ;  that  you  accept  my  services,  how 
imperfect  soever  they  may  seem  in  your  opinion,  as  being 
the  result  of  sincere  intentions.  For  I  feel  the  force  of  the 
apostle's  exclamation,  "AVho  is  sufficient  for  these  things.? " 
Who  is  equal  to  this  arduous  work  ?  And,  while  I  bear  your 
eternal  interests  in  my  remembrance  at  the  throne  of 
grace,  I  earnestly  entreat  you  to  commend  me  in  your 
prayers  to  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  that  the  divine 


HISTORY  OF    WARWICK.  99 

grace,  which  alone  is  profitable  to  instruct  and  direct,  may 
be  my  guide ;  that,  when  I  have  proclaimed  the  glorious 
prize  of  immortality  to  others,  I  shall  not  at  last  be  rejected, 
as  unfit  for  it,  myself  Notwithstanding  the  gospel  treasure 
of  unspeakable  value  has  been  committed  to  earthen  vessels^ 
yet  the  power  that"  accompanies  its  promulgation  is  derived 
from  God.  It  is,  therefore,  incumbent  upon  us,  as  fellow- 
soldiers  in  the  Christian  warfare,  to  offer  our  united  prayers 
to  Deity,  that  his  blessings  may  attend  the  ministration  of 
his  word,  that  not  only  our  immortal  interests  may  be  pro- 
moted, but  the  glory  of  his  moral  government  advanced, 
and  the  great  laws  of  it  more  generally  obeyed ;  that  all 
who  hear  the  voice  of  Christ  may  acknowledge  him  as  the 
only  Bishop  of  their  souls ^  as  in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom 
there  shall  be  only  one  fold  and  one  Shepherd. 

Bearing  such  reflections  in  mind,  let  us  ever  adhere  with 
firm  and  inflexible  steadiness  to  our  Christian  profession, 
and  aim  at  making  continual  improvement  in  it,  from  a  full 
persuasion  that  our  labors  in  love,  and  attention  to  Christi- 
anity, will  finally  be  accompanied  with  a  glorious  reward. 

Preserved  Smith,  Jr. 

It  was  proposed  in  town-meeting  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee of  five,  to  transact  the  business  of  the  ordina- 
tion ;  and  chose  William  Cobb,  Ashbel  Ward,  William 
Burnett,  jun.,  Perez  Allen,  and  Justus  Russell  ;  and  it 
was  voted  that  the  expense  of  the  .ordination  be  drawn 
out  of  the  ministry  money  then  in  the  treasury. 
Accordingly  the  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  jun.,  was  or- 
dained as  pastor  over  the  First  Congregational  Church 
and  Society  in  Warwick,  on  Oct.  12,  18 14. 

In  April,  181 5,  a  report  of  a  committee  on  the 
petition    of  Caleb    Mayo,  Esq.,  in   favor   of  Widow 


lOO  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

Abigail  Reed,  was  reported  to  the  town,  and  accepted, 
which  was  as  follows  ;  viz. :  — 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  a  committee  at 
the  annual  meeting  in  March  last  to  take  into  consideration 
the  request  of  Caleb  Mayo,  Esq.,  for,  and  in  behalf  of,  the 
widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Samuel  Reed,  have  attended  to  the 
business  of  our  appointment,  and  report  as  follows  :  — 

That,  in  examining  the  former  records,  Mr.  Reed  was 
settled  in  the  gospel  ministry  in  this  town  in  1779,  and  was 
to  receive  his  stipend  in  proportion  to  rye  at  three  shillings 
and  sixpence,  and  corn  at  two  shillings  and  ninepence,  per 
bushel,  and  pork  at  threepence  half-penny  per  pound,  from 
an  incorporated  society;  and  that  he  continued  to  receive 
his  salary  in  full  for  fifteen  years.  We  find,  by  contract 
entered  into  the  third  of  March,  1794,  Mr.  Reed  did  be- 
come the  town's  minister,  and  after  that  to  receive  his  salary 
in  silver  and  gold ;  and  we  do  not  find  by  any  of  the  records 
that  he  received  any  thing  difterent  from  his  stated  salary 
for  ten  years  from  that  date  ;  and  in  further  examination  we 
find  that  from  1804  to  181 1,  which  is  eight  years,  Mr.  Reed 
received  $312.75  more  than  his  stated  salary.  We  learn 
that  when  Mr.  Reed  became  the  town's  minister  he  received 
a  certain  sum  of  the  town's  money,  and  secured  the  town 
by  mortgage  of  his  real  estate.  We  learn  by  Mrs.  Reed's 
signing  the  mortgage  she  is  debarred  of  any  dowry  in  his 
real  estate.  We  also  learn  that  by  the  aid  of  Mrs.  Reed's 
friends,  before  the  judge  of  probate,  she  is  to  receive 
$200.00  out  of  Mr.  Reed's  estate  for  her  own  use  and  dis- 
posal. We  also  learn,  that,  since  Mr.  Reed's  decease,  Mrs. 
Reed,  by  the  aid  of  her  friends,  has  had  the  good  fortune 
to  get  upon  the  list  of  the  Massachusetts  Congregational 
Charitable  Society  for  the  relief  of  destitute  widows  and 
children  of  deceased  ministers,  and  has  for  two  years  past 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  loi 

received  about  thirty  dollars  per  year,  and  will  probably 
continue  to  receive  her  proportion  of  the  money  in  the 
funds  of  said  society.  After  learning  all  these  facts,  we, 
your  committee,  are  unanimously  of  opinion  that  it  will  be 
more  for  the  harmony  of  the  citizens  of  this  town  to  have 
the  business  indefinitely  postponed  than  to  take  any  further 
measures  upon  it. 

All  which  is  submitted  by  your  committee. 

Justus  Russell,  ) 

Perez  Allen,       >  Commitiec. 

Joseph  Draper,   ) 

In  April,  1817,  the  town  voted  to  accept  the  follow- 
ing report ;  viz. :  — 

The  subscribers,  having  been  appointed  a  committee, 
at  the  annual  meeting  in  March  last,  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  fifteenth  article  in  the  warrant  of  said  meeting, 
relative  to  the  ministry  and  school  funds  in  the  town  of 
Warwick,  report  their  opinion,  viz.  :  That  eight  dollars  and 
seventy-six  cents  of  the  interest  of  the  unapplied  ministry- 
money  now  in  the  treasury  be  added  to  the  ministry-fund, 
in  order  to  increase  the  fund  to  nine  hundred  dollars.  And 
that  the  sum  of  one  dollar  of  the  overlays  of  the  town-tax 
the  present  year  be  added  to  the  school-fund  in  order  to 
increase  that  fund  to  five  hundred  dollars  ;  and  that  all  the 
loans  of  said  funds  now  existing,  excepting  what  is  secured 
by  mortgage  of  real  estate,  shall,  on  or  be^re  the  first  day 
of  January,  next,  be  collected,  and  paid  into  the  treasury,  or 
be  secured  by  mortgage  of  real  estate ;  and  that  the  said 
funds,  after  that  date,  should  be  loaned  by  the  selectmen  of 
the  town  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  in 
sums  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars,  nor  over  two  hun- 
9* 


I02  HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 

dred  dollars,  to  be  secured  by  mortgage  of  real  estate  to 
double  the  amount,  to  be  appraised  by  the  selectmen  of  said 
town ;  and  the  person  or  persons  that  shall  not  pay  the 
interest  to  the  treasurer  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  Janu- 
ary, annually,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  the  continuance  of  said 
loan ;  and  that  no  person  shall  have  a  loan  a  longer  time 
than  three  years  at  a  time,  on  condition  that  others  want  it 
for  equally  good  security. 

Joshua  Atwood,  \ 

Justus  Russell,  >  Conwiittee. 

AsHBEL  Ward,      ) 


At  an  adjournment  of  this  meeting,  it  was  voted  to 
reconsider  a  part  of  the  report  of  the  committee  re- 
specting the  ministry  and  school  funds,  so  as  to  extend 
the  time  of  payment  to  ten  years,  upon  the  condition 
of  paying  ten  per  cent  of  the  principal  annually,  and 
the  interest  on  such  sums  as  may  be  loaned  to  the 
inhabitants  of  said  town. 

At  the  adjournment  in  May  it  was  voted  to  build  a 
powder-magazine  for  the  security  of  the  town-stores, 
as  follows,  viz. :  Eight  feet  square,  to  be  built  of  good, 
well-burnt  bricks  laid  in  lime  mortar,  the  walls  to  be 
seven  feet  high,  with  a  square  roof,  well  boarded  and 
shingled,  and  to  be  ceiled  with  good  white  pine  boards 
planed  on  the  inside,  and  a  good,  double  floor  well 
nailed  ;  the  door  to  be  double,  with  a  good  lock  and 
key  ;  the  walls  to  be  eight  inches  thick  ;  and  a  founda- 
tion of  flat  stones  to  be  built  in  a  workmanlike  man- 
ner. A  committee  of  three  was  chosen  to  superintend 
the  building  of  said  magazine  ;  viz.,  Amos  K.  Whit- 
ney, Caleb  Mayo,  William  Cobb. 


HISTORY   OF    WARWICK.  103 

1818. 

April  4,  1818,  voted  to  accept  the  report  of  the 
committee  respecting  the  purchase  of  the  burying- 
ground  as  follows  :  — 

The  subscribers,  having  been  chosen  a  committee  to  com- 
plete the  purchase  of  land  of  Mr.  Bunyan  Penniman  for  an 
addition  to  the  burying-ground,  have  attended  that  service, 
and  report  as  follows :  That  we  have  obtained  a  deed  of 
said  Penniman  of  one  acre  and  fifty  rods  of  land,  measur- 
ing fifteen  rods  on  the  road,  fifteen  rods  on  the  south  line, 
twelve  rods  on  the  west  line,  and  fifteen  rods  and  thirteen 
links  on  the  north  line,  and  have  paid  him  sixty-five  dollars 
and  sixty-two  cents  as  a  consideration  for  the  same,  it  being 
understood  that  the  town  is  to  fence  said  land. 

Caleb  Mayo,     )  ^ 

,,,  „  }  Lommttiee. 

William  Cobb,  .j 

It  was  voted  that  the  same  committee  that  pur- 
chased the  ground  to  make  an  addition  to  the  bury- 
ing-ground be  a  committee  to  fence  the  same. 

It  was  wisely  said  by  the  wise  king  of  Israel  that 
"■  tJiere  is  a  time  for  every  tJdng ;  "  and  purchasing  this 
spot  of  ground  to  enlarge  our  burying-place  was  one 
of  those  transactions  that  was  performed  in  its  proper 
time.  A  more  judicious  and  timely  act  is  not  to  be 
found  on  our  public  records. 

1820. 

In  August,  1820,  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  was  convened,  on  the  question  whether  it 


I04  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

was  expedient  that  delegates  should  be  chosen  to 
meet  in  convention  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  this 
Commonwealth.  On  sorting  and  counting  the  votes, 
it  appeared  that  there  were  thirty-two  votes  against 
it,  and  forty-three  in  favor  of  the  measure. 

In  October,  Jonathan  Blake,  jun.,  was  chosen  a  dele- 
gate to  attend  the  aforesaid  convention. 

1821. 

In  April,  1821,  the  articles  of  amendment  proposed 
by  the  convention  for  altering  the  constitution  of  the 
State  were  laid  before  the  town  for  their  approval  or 
rejection  ;  and  but  two  out  of  the  fourteen  articles 
were  accepted  ;  viz.,  the  eighth  and  fourteenth.  The 
amendments  were  not  popular  in  this  town. 

A  brief  account  of  the  tornado  that  passed  over 
the  south  part  of  Warwick,  an  occurrence  that  may 
well  be  remembered  by  many  of  the  sufferers,  but 
which,  for  the  information  of  posterity,  ought  to  be 
preserved,  as  a  very  frightful,  destructive,  and  uncom- 
mon occurrence :  — 

On  the  ninth  day  of  September,  1821,  a  tremendous 
whirlwind  passed  over  the  south  part  of  this  town, 
most  appalling  and  terrific  in  its  appearance,  and 
most  destructive  in  its  consequences.  I  was  an  eye- 
witness of  this  most  sublime  and  astonishing  phe- 
nomenon of  Nature ;  and  language  is  too  feeble  to 
express  my  feelings,  or  to  properly  and  accurately 
describe  the  majestic  and  interesting  scene. 

It  was  on  the  day  instituted  by  our  benevolent 
Creator  for  a  day  of  rest  that  this   awful   calamity 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  105 

befell  us,  when,  if  ever  (after  the  solemn  services  of 
the  sanctuary  are  ended),  the  minds  of  rational  and 
intelligent  beings  are  composed  and  calm,  and  the 
benign  and  beneficial  influences  of  religion  pervade 
the  heart.  Just  as  the  sun  was  sinking  behind  the 
western  hills,  an  appearance  of  agitation  or  concus- 
sion was  discovered  in  the  clouds:  slight  showers 
of  rain  had  fallen  in  several  places  in  this  vicinity 
during  the  afternoon,  and  the  heat  had  been  oppres- 
sive. The  commotion  in  the  clouds  had  something 
of  the  appearance  of  the  angry  billows  of  the  ocean 
when  raging  at  the  utmost  extent  of  their  fury. 
These  agitations  and  concussions  soon  blended  to- 
gether, and  assumed  a  form,  which  at  first  sight 
resembled  a  column  of  smoke  ascending  from  the 
conflagration  of  a  building,  or  the  burning  of  pine 
timber  on  new  lands  ;  but  it  soon  became  more  com- 
pactly embodied  and  more  visible,  and  moved  along 
with  a  majesty  and  grandeur  inexpressibly  surprising, 
powerful,  and  great.  Its  appearance  was  in  the 
shape  of  an  inverted  cone  :  the  bottom,  like  the  besom 
of  destruction,  swept  every  thing  before  it ;  and  the 
top  besieged  the  heavens.  The  embodied  appearance 
of  this  elemental  strife  was  black,  dense,  solid,  and 
compact ;  and  it  sustained  its  form  with  all  the  regu- 
larity of  a  magnificent  temple.  It  moved  almost 
direct  from  the  west  towards  the  east :  detached 
pieces  of  buildings,  such  as  timber,  boards,  shingles, 
limbs  of  trees,  leaves,  grass,  and,  in  short,  fragments 
of  every  kind,  were  thrown  out  of  its  vortex  in  every 
direction,  filling  and  darkening  the  air.  Birds,  espe- 
cially hawks  and  crows,  were  sailing  round  and  round. 


io6  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

high  in  the  air  aloof  from  the  storm,  expressing  their 
dismay  by  dismal  screams.  But  above  all  the  tre- 
mendous crashing,  stunning,  deafening  noise,  not 
unlike  heav}'-  thunder  or  the  internal  bellowings  of  an 
earthquake,  which  caused  the  earth  to  tremble  under 
us,  and  seemed  to  forebode  its  final  dissolution,  it 
filled  us  with  sensations  too  sublime  and  too  awful  to 
be  adequately  expressed.  Thus  far  I  have  described 
the  visible  appearance  and  movement  of  this  scene  of 
terror  and  destruction  ;  and  now  I  will  attempt  to  give 
a  short  and  imperfect  account  of  its  effects. 

Its  first  appearance  in  the  clouds  was  discovered 
to  be  not  far  from  Connecticut  River.  It  was  high  up 
from  the  water,  and  did  not  begin  its  work  of  destruc- 
tion until  it  came  in  contact  with  the  earth,  near  the 
top  of  the  high  ridge  of  land  called  Northfield  Moun- 
tains. The  first  building  it  destroyed  was  Mr.  Garland's 
house  ;  the  next  were  Chapin  Holden's  house  and  barn  : 
these  buildings  were  in  Northfield.  Mr.  Joseph  Will- 
son's  house  and  barn  in  Warwick  were  entirely  torn 
from  their  foundations,  and  some  of  his  family  badly 
injured.  Mr.  Elisha  Brown's  house  was  also  destroyed ; 
and  one  of  his  daughters,  about  thirteen  years  of  age, 
buried  in  the  ruins,  and  killed :  another  daughter 
was  permanently  injured.  These  were  in  Warwick. 
In  the  north-westerly  part  of  Orange,  Capt.  Moses 
Smith's  tavern-house,  with  barns  and  sheds,  were  all 
swept  away  in  a  moment.  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye 
they  were  scattered  in  every  direction  ;  and  a  young 
woman  by  the  name  of  Stearns,  about  eighteen  years 
of  age,  in  the  bloom  of  youth  (an  inmate  of  the  house), 
was  thus  instantly  called  to  her  final  account.     Only 


HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 


:o7 


the  two  persons  above  mentioned  perished  ;  but  many 
were  severely  wounded.  Some  cattle  were  killed,  and 
others  much  injured.  Five  dwelling-houses  and  thir- 
teen barns  were  either  entirely  destroyed  or  unroofed  ; 
and  many  more  sustained  some  damage. 

It  is  impossible  to  describe  this  scene  of  destruction 
the  morning  after  the  calamity.  The  resistless  fury  of 
the  wind  had  laid  low  the  dwellings  and  other  build- 
ings of  many  of  our  townsmen  and  friends.  Wood- 
land, orchards,  stone  walls,  and  even  large  rocks,  were 
no  impediment  to  its  force.*  The  wake  of  the 
whirlwind  was  literally  covered  with  wood,  timber, 
boards,  shingles,  hay,  straw,  and  fragments  of  every 
thing  conceivable.  Heavy  logs  that  had  lain  years  on 
the  ground,  and  were  embedded  considerably  in  the 
soil,  were  torn  out  of  their  resting-places,  and  in  many 
instances  were  broken  to  pieces.  Several  rocks  that 
would  weigh  a  ton  or  more  were  started  from^their 
beds,  and  moved  a  considerable  distance.  Household 
furniture  and  clothing  were  strewed  over  the  ground, 
rent  and  torn,  and  dashed  to  pieces.  Many  articles  of 
value  were  found  in  other  towns  east  of  us,  and 
a  few  of  them  were  not  materially  injured.  A  part  of 
the  roof  of  a  building  was  found  twenty-five  miles 
from  the  place  whence  it  was  taken  ;  and  a  part 
of  a  leaf  of  an  account-book  was  found  in  Groton, 
about  sixty  miles  from  the  house  where  it  was  de- 
posited in  a  chamber.  The  next  day  after  this  awful 
visitation  the  town  assembled,  and  chose  a  committee 
to  ascertain  the  loss  of  the  inhabitants,  and  agreed  to 

*  See  Appendix,  p^e  iS8. 


lo8  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

raise  four  hundred  dollars,  to  be  distributed  among  the 
sufferers  in  proportion  to  each  one's  loss,  or  as  nearly 
so  as  the  committee  should  think  proper. 


1822. 

In  1822  a  committee  was  chosen  to  report  the  best 
method  to  be  pursued  by  the  town  in  choosing,  or- 
ganizing, and  empowering  our  school  committee  in 
future. 

The  report  of  this  committee  contains  sentiments 
honorable  and  laudable  in  themselves,  and  of  great 
importance  to  the  town  ;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  regret 
that  we  have  so  soon  forgotten  such  salutary  advice. 

Here  follows  the  report,  viz. :  — 

The  subscribers  having  been  chosen  a  committee  to 
report  a  plan  for  the  better  regulation  and  examination  of 
the  schools  in  the  town  of  Warwick,  —  impressed  with  the 
opinion  that  the  subject  of  the  education  of  youth,  as  it  re- 
spects science  and  morals,  which  are  by  law  required  to  be 
taught  in  our  common  schools,  is  of  the  highest  importance 
to  society  ;  that  there  cannot  be  too  much  attention  and 
patronage  given  to  this  subject  by  the  public ;  that  a  well- 
regulated  and  uniform  system  of  instruction  throughout  the 
several  school-districts  in  the  town  would  be  of  great  ad- 
vantage to  the  community,  —  to  effect  the  above  the  follow- 
ing is  respectfully  submitted  :  — 

ist.  That  it  is  expedient  to  choose  a  committee  annual- 
ly :  that  this  committee  consist  of  two  persons,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  (together  with  the  minister  of  the  town)  to  visit 
and  inspect  the  several  schools  twice  in  a  season  ;  viz., 
near  the  commencement,  and  before  the  close,  of  the  winter 
term. 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  109 

2d.  As  strangers  and  foreigners  from  different  parts  of 
the  country  are  frequently  intrusted  with  the  charge  of  in- 
structing our  children,  therefore  that  this  committee  be  au- 
thorized to  recommend  and  introduce  such  modes  of  instruc- 
tion, and  such  books,  as,  in  their  judgment,  are  best  adapted 
to  promote  the  great  object  for  which  our  schools  were 
established. 

3d.  That  any  person  presuming  to  take  the  charge  of 
any  school  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  as  an  instructor, 
shall  be  required  to  produce  to  the  committee  of  the  district 
who  contracts  with  him,  and  to  the  examining  committee  on 
their  first  examination,  such  credentials  as  the  law  requires. 

4th.  That  as  large  sums  of  money  have  been  frequently 
paid  to  those  whose  services  as  instructors  have  been  injuri- 
ous, rather  than  beneficial,  to  our  youth,  that  this  committee, 
noting  any  such  defect  on  their  first  examination,  shall 
report  the  same  to  the  district  in  which  he  may  be  engaged. 

5th.  That  this  committee  (the  minister  excepted)  re- 
ceive from  the  town  a  reasonable  compensation  for  their 
services  if  performed  agreeable  to  the  foregoing  report. 

Amos  Taylor,  1 

Lemuel  Wheelock, 

Joseph  Stevens,        \  Committee. 

JosiAH  Proctor,        I 

James  Goldsbury,     J 

The  town  voted  to  accept  of  this  report,  and  chose 
a  committee  of  two  persons,  agreeable  to  its  recom- 
mendation ;  but  how  soon  have  they  forgotten  or  dis- 
regarded these  useful  hints  ! 

In  1823  the  present  hearse-house  was  built,  under 
the  superintendence  of  Abijah  Eddy,  Isaac  Hastings, 


no  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

JLin.,  and  William  Cobb,  —  a  committee  chosen  by  the 
town  for  that  purpose. 

1824. 

In  1824  the  meeting-house  was  painted,  and  the 
windows  and  plastering  repaired. 

1832. 

On  the  23d  of  April,  1832,  a  number  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Warwick  turned  out  voluntarily,  and  procured 
and  set  out  about  sixty  rock-maple  trees  around  the 
burying-ground,  and  a  spruce-tree  in  the  centre,  and 
one  each  side  of  the  south  gate. 

Thus,  in  an  imperfect  manner,  I  have  detailed  to 
you  the  origin  of  many  of  the  principal  events  that 
have  transpired  in  this  place  since  civilized  man  has 
claimed  dominion  over  it ;  and,  in  closing,  perhaps  a 
few  observations  on  the  situation  of  the  town,  the 
productions  of  the  soil,  manners  of  the  inhabitants, 
longevity,  &c.,  will  not  be  misplaced. 

Warwick  is  situated  in  the  north-east  corner  of 
Franklin  County,  seventy-seven  and  a  half  miles  from 
Boston  by  the  stage-road,  and  twenty  miles  from 
Greenfield  (the  shire-town  of  the  county),  having  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  on  the  north,  and  joining 
Winchester  and  Richmond  in  that  State  ;  on  the  east 
by  Royalston  in  the  County  of  Worcester,  and 
Orange  in  the  County  of  Franklin  ;  south  on  an  unin- 
corporated tract  of  land  called  Erving's  Grant ;  west 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  iii 

on  said  grant,  and  tha  town  of  Northfield.  It  con- 
tained originally  twenty-three  thousand  acres  of  land 
before  the  south-east  corner  of  it  was  set  off  to 
Orange.  The  surface  is  broken  and  hilly,  and  a  high 
hill  called  Mount  Grace  occupies  a  very  prominent 
station  near  the  centre  of  the  town.  In  many  places 
the  soil  is  so  rocky  and  broken  as  to  render  it  unfit 
for  cultivation  :  in  other  places,  tolerably  good  ;  not  so 
suitable  for  English  grain  as  for  grass,  corn,  and  po- 
tatoes. The  principal  exports  are  beef,  cattle,  butter, 
and  cheese ;  but  not  so  much  of  these  as  formerly. 
Braiding  straw  and  palm-leaf  hats  is  the  principal 
occupation  of  the  women,  excepting  attending  to  the 
dairy  and  other  household  affairs.  The  inhabitants, 
generally  speaking,  are  hardy,  industrious,  and  perse- 
vering, principally  cultivators  of  the  earth  ;  sober, 
intelligent,  and  of  steady  habits,  averse  to  idleness, 
and  aloof  from  extreme  poverty :  perhaps  as  much  on 
an  equality  as  any  town  in  the  Commonwealth,  —  none 
extravagantly  rich,  and  none  miserably  poor.  The 
climate  is  healthy  and  the  air  salubrious,  and  the 
water  is  not  surpassed  by  any  on  earth.  The  princi- 
pal disease  is  consumption  ;  not  exempt,  however,  from 
fevers,  and  the  numberless  little  petty  diseases  inci- 
dent to  man.  Only  one  person  has  ever  died  in  this 
town  that  was  over  one  hundred  years  of  age  ;  and 
that  was  a  Mrs.  Willson,  who  was  about  one  hundred 
and  two  years  old  when  she  died.  As  a  proof  of  the 
longevity  of  its  inhabitants,  in  a  population  of  eleven 
hundred  and  fifty,  there  are  now  living  forty-six  indi- 
viduals over  seventy  years  of  age,  —  twenty-three 
men  and  twenty-three  women.     Twenty-five  of  them 


112  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

are  over  eighty  years,  —  thirteen  men  and  twelve 
women  ;  three  over  ninety  years,  —  two  men  and  one 
woman ;  the  oldest  man  ninety-three  years,  the 
oldest  woman  ninety-one  years.  The  aggregate  ages 
of  the  thirteen  men  that  exceed  eighty  years  is  eleven 
hundred  and  four  years  ;  and  of  the  twelve  women, 
ten  hundred  and  ninety-seven  years :  total  aggregate 
amount  of  the  twenty-five  oldest  persons  is  two  thou- 
sand two  hundred  and  one  years.  It  is  presumed  this 
falls  years  short  of  the  exact  truth,  as  there  are  no 
fractions  counted,  although  some  of  them  amount  to 
almost  a  year. 

There  is  now  the  Congregational  society  in  this 
town,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  pastor,  which  comprises 
about  one  half  of  the  voters  and  taxable  property ;  a 
Universalist  incorporated  society ;  part  of  a  Baptist 
society,  incorporated  with  a  part  of  Royalston,  Elder 
Marshal,  minister ;  part  of  another  Baptist  society, 
who  are  connected  with  some  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Erving's  Grant  and  New  Salem,  Elder  John  Shepard- 
son,  teacher;  and  a  few  Methodists  who  belong  to  a 
Methodist  society  in  Northfield,  and  have  a  meeting- 
house in  the  South  Woods  (so  called).  Here  follows 
a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  persons  that  have  ever 
been  chosen  and  served  as  town-officers,  with  the 
number  of  years  they  served,  when  known.*  There 
have  been  two  settled  ministers  of  the  Congregational 
order  before  the  present  one,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith  ; 
viz..  Rev.  Lemuel  Hedge  and  Rev,  Samuel  Reed. 

Rev.   Lemuel    Hedge  was  ordained,  and   a  church 

*  See  Appendix,  page  192. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  113 

gathered,  Dec.  3,  1760.  Rev.  Mr.  Forbes  of  Brook- 
field  preached  the  sermon  from  ist  Timothy,  4th  chap., 
6th  verse.  Ministers  present,  —  Mr.  Forbes,  Mr. 
Hubbard  of  Northfield.  Mr.  Frink  of  Rutland  Dis- 
trict was  moderator,  and  gave  the  charge.  The 
covenant  was  signed  by  Lemuel  Hedge,  David  Ay  res, 
Ebenezer  Davis,  Ephraim  Perry,  David  Burnett,  John 
Farrar,  Asa  Robbins,  Charles  Woods,  James  Ball, 
Jeduthan  Morse,  Amzi  Doolittle,  and  Silas  Town. 
Rev.  Lemuql  Hedge  died  Oct.  17,  1777,  in  the  forty- 
seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the  seventeenth  of  his 
ministry.  The  sermon  at  his  funeral  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Bunker  Gay  of  Hinsdale,  N.H.  Rev. 
Samuel  Reed  was  ordained  Sept.  23,  1779,  and  died 
July  31,  1812.  Rev.  Joseph  Lee  of  Royalston 
preached  the  sermon  at  his  funeral.  There  was  a 
great  congregation  present.  Rev.  Preserved  Smith, 
jun.,  was  ordained  Oct.  12,  18 14,  and  still  remains 
here  (viz.,  1832).  There  has  been  one  Universalist 
minister,  the  Rev.  Caleb  Rich,  and  two  Baptist  minis- 
ters, the  Rev.  Levi  Hodge,  and  Rev.  John  Shep- 
ardson,  that  have  resided  in  town  previous  to  the 
above  date. 

Almost  one  generation  has  passed  away  since 
I  commenced  and  wrote  the  first  part  of  the  history 
of  Warwick.  The  first  settlers  have  all  passed  off 
the  stage  of  action  ;  and  most  of  the  then  aged  and 
worthy  members  of  society  have  followed  them  to 
their  final  resting-place,  —  the  grave.  Those  then  in 
the  prime  of  manhood  are  either  dead,  or  tottering  in 
old  age ;  those  that  were  young  then  are  bearing  the 


114 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


public  burdens,  and  filling  the  ranks  made  thin  by  the 
great  ^Destroyer  ;  and  those  unborn  at  that  time  have 
arrived  to  adult  age,  and  are  busily  employed  on  the 
great  theatre  of  life.  The  grand  object  of  the  his- 
torian ought  to  be  a  desire  to  perpetuate  the  truth,  to 
transmit  to  all  coming  time  a  fair  record  of  all  the  pass- 
ing events,  uninfluenced  by  present  party-feelings,  and 
above  all  disguise  and  hypocritical  cant. 

Now  (in  1854)  a  blank  of  twenty-two  years  is  to 
be  filled  ;  and  I  shall  begin  where  I  left  off  in  1832. 

1833- 

In  1833  some  proposed  amendments  to  the  con- 
stitution of  the  State  were  laid  before  the  town  for 
their  approval  or  rejection  ;  and  there  were  one  hun- 
dred and  eighteen  yeas  to  nine  nays. 

1834. 

In  1834  the  school-fund  was  separated  from  the 
ministerial  fund ;  and  the  town  voted  that  it  should 
be  loaned  on  land  security :  it  amounted  to  five  hun- 
dred dollars. 

This  year  the  town  built  a  new  pound ;  and  also 
the  school-districts  were  defined  anew  by  a  committee 
chosen  for  that  purpose,  consisting  of  Jonathan  Blake, 
jun.,  Josiah  Proctor,  and  Lemuel  Wheelock. 

1836. 

In  1836  the  first  religious  society  in  Warwick  (Uni- 


HISTORY    OF    WARWICK.  115 

tarian)  built  a  new  meeting-house,  which  is  now  stand- 
ing (in  1854),  being  the  third  house  built  for,  or  by, 
that  society.  It  stands  a  little  west  of  where  the  two 
others  stood,  and  on  the  west  side  of  the  county-road. 
It  is  not  large,  but  a  neat,  well-proportioned  edifice, 
erected  by  subscription  of  the  members  of  the  parish, 
at  a  cost  of  about  three  thousand  dollars.  The  house 
contains  sixty  slips,  or  pews,  which  will  seat  five 
grown  persons  each :  no  gallery  except  in  front,  ex- 
pressly for  the  singers.  It  has  a  fine-toned  bell, 
weighing  a  thousand  and  eighty-nine  pounds,  which 
cost  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  is  in- 
cluded in  the  first-mentioned  sum.  This  was  the  first 
church-bell  that  was  ever  purchased  in  Warwick. 
The  above  bell  was  warranted  for  one  year  ;  and  before 
the  year  was  out  it  broke,  and  was  returned  to  Boston 
and  exchanged  for  another  which  was  a  few  pounds 
lighter,  without  any  cost  to  the  society  except  the 
freight  each  way,  and  the  trouble  attending.  This  bell 
was  also  warranted  for  one  year,  and  lasted  until  early 
in  1 84 1,  when  it  gave  out  also.  The  society  then 
thought  it  best  to  try  at  Ames's  foundry  in  Spring- 
field, carried  the  old  bell  there,  and  exchanged  for  a 
new  one,  of  about  the  same  weight,  and  paid  the  dif- 
ference between  old  metal  and  new  :  this  bell  remains 
sound  to  this  day;  viz.,  1865. 

The  house  has  a  well-finished  vestry  in  the  base- 
ment, for  the  use  of  the  sabbath  school,  public  meet- 
ings, &c.  The  subscribers  chose  Jonathan  Blake, 
jun.,  Joseph  Stevens,  and  Samuel  Moore,  a  committee, 
to  contract  for  building  the  house,  and  superintending 
its  erection.    It  was  raised  the  eighth  day  of  September, 


ii6  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

1836.  The  hands  that  raised  the  meeting-house  took 
dinner  at  Asa  Taft's  Hotel  with  the  architect  and 
contractor,  Mr.  "Chapin  Holden,  two  ministers,  two 
doctors,  two  deacons,  and  the  building-committee  by 
invitation,  numbering  in  all  seventy-four.  The  pews 
were  appraised  by  a  committee,  and  then  put  up  at 
auction  for  a  choice,  and  all  sold,  bringing  four  hun- 
dred and  seven  dollars  more  than  the  cost  of  the 
house,  which  was  expended  in  furniture  for  the  house, 
and  in  finishing  the  vestry.* 

There  was  an  Orthodox  society  formed  in  1829,  in 
this  town,  partly  from  seceders  from  the  first  society 
(Unitarian),  and  a  few  others,  and  organized  a  church, 
consisting  of  thirty  members  ;  and  in  1833  they  built 
a  meeting-house,  at  a  cost  of  about  thirteen  hundred 
dollars.  This  house  stands  on  the  land  formerly  occu- 
pied by  the  Franklin  Glass-Factory  Company,  and 
near  where  their  main  buildings  were  located,  and  is 
a  short  distance  south  of  the  town's  common  and  the 
Unitarian  meeting-house.  On  the  sixth  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1833,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Kingsbury  was  settled  as 
their  pastor.  He  preached  for  them  about  two  years, 
and  was  then  dismissed.  The  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch 
was  ordained  as  their  second  pastor  on  the  twenty- 
third  day  of  December,  1835,  and  was  dismissed  June 
22,  1853. 

In  1840,  at  the  April  meeting,  an  article  of  amend- 
ment to  the  constitution  of  the  State  was  voted  on  ; 
and  there  were  eighty-three  yeas,  and  fourteen 
nays. 

In    1850   the    school-districts    were   regularly   and 

*  See  Plan. 


ii6 


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HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  117 

lawfully  bounded  by  the  selectmen  by  proper  metes 
and  bounds  ;  and  a  high  stone  monument  with  stones 
about  it,  and  the  number  of  the  district  on  its  face  at 
each  angle  and  corner ;  and  the  eleventh  district 
altered  to  ten ;  and  districts  No.  3  and  No.  9  were 
united  ;  and  ten  permanent  districts  formed,  and  ac- 
cepted by  the  town. 

A  dispute  about  the  line  between  Widow  Rhoda 
Wheelock's  thirds  and  the  town-common  was  this 
year  settled  by  a  reference  composed  of  Richard  Col- 
ton  of  Northfield,  Ozias  Roberts  of  Gill,  and  Jered 
Weed  of  Petersham. 

They  were  chosen  mutually  by  the  selectmen  and  the 
said  Widow  Wheelock  ;  and  their  award  was  accepted 
by  the  parties,  and  the  north-east  corner  of  the  com- 
mon permanently  established. 

In  185  I  the  legal  voters  of  the  town  were  called 
upon  to  give  in  their  votes  in  favor  of,  or  against,  call- 
ing a  convention  to  amend  and  revise  the  State  con- 
stitution :  yeas,  113;  nays,  71. 

In  1852  they  were  again  called  to  vote  on  the  same 
question,  when  a  hundred  and  twenty-eight  voted  in 
favor  of  calling  a  convention,  and  sixty-nine  against 
it. 

In  1853  they  chose  Samuel  W.  Spooner  a  delegate 
to  the  convention  to  be  convened  at  Boston  to  make 
amendments  to  the  constitution  of  the  State. 

At  the  Novembsr  meeting  following  they  were 
called  upon  to  accept  or  refuse  the  adoption  of  the 
new  constitution  as  amended,  and  to  be  laid  before 
the  people  :  and  the  votes  were,  for  adopting  the  same, 
a  hundred  and  seven  votes  ;  opposed  to  it,  sixty-six 
votes. 


$1,500.00 

Soo.oo 

700.00 

$3,000.00 

$48.95 

30.00 

778.95 

118  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

The  money  voted  to  be  raised  by  the  town  this 
year,  1853,  viz.,  is  as  follows  :  — 

For  the  support  of  poor,  and  other  contingent 

expenses  

For  repairing  highways     .... 
For  schools 

Total 

School-money  received  from  the  State 
Interest  of  the  Town  School-Fund  . 
Total  expended  for  schooling  this  year     . 

Amount  of  town  debts    .         .         .         .         .       $1,338.00 

Number  of  ratable  polls  in  town,  two  hundred  and  forty- 
four. 

There  are  now  four  religious  societies  in  Warwick  ; 
viz.,  one  Unitarian,  one  Orthodox,  one  Baptist,  one 
Universalist,  and  a  few  Methodists  that  belong  to  a 
society  in  Northfield. 

The  Universalist  society  was  incorporated  in  Febru- 
ary, 1814:  they  have  no  meeting-house.  The  other 
three  societies  have  each  of  them  one,  situated  in  or 
near  the  middle  of  the  town.  • 

There  is  no  settled  minister  of  any  denomination 
in  the  town  at  the  present  time.  There  is  but  one 
doctor,  Amos  Taylor,  who  came  herein  1815  or  1816. 

There  is  no.  lawyer:  never  had  but  one,  Henry 
Barnard,  Esq.  Not  many  very  important  or  interest- 
ing events  have  transpired  in  the  past  twenty-two 
years. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


119 


Public  and  private  affairs  have  moved  on  in  the 
current  of  time,  with  their  usual  progressive,  but  not 
very  exciting,  fluctuations.  Party  spirit  has  been  kept 
alive,  and  has  marked  out  its  alternate  rise  and  fall  of 
the  contending  parties. 

For  the  largest  share  of  the  time  the  Democratic 
party  has  been  in  the  ascendency,  and  carried  a  ma- 
jority of  the  votes.  At  this  time  the  Whig  and  Dem- 
ocratic parties  are  nearly  balanced  ;  and  the  Free-soil 
party  numbers  nearly  one-fifth  of  the  votes. 

The  town  has  gradually  decreased  in  the  number  of 
its  inhabitants  for  thirty  years  past,  as  will  be  seen  by 
the  census. 

The  farms,  as  a  general  thing,  are  not  so  productive 
as  they  were  forty  years  ago.  Many  pieces  of  tillage- 
land  are  nearly  worn  out  (as  we  term  it).  Peach-trees 
are  a  complete  failure  ;  and  not  one-tenth  part  so  many 
apples  are  now  raised  as  at  that  time.  The  trees  have 
become  old  and  decayed,  and  but  few  young  ones  are- 
set  out  to  replace  them,  although  some  attention  has 
been  paid  to  grafting  of  late.  The  pasture-lands,  which 
were  formerly  good,  have  greatly  deteriorated,  and  are 
almost  covered  with  noxious  bushes,  brakes,  and  ferns  ; 
and  they  yield  comparatively  little  to  their  former  pi;od- 
ucts.  The  hay  is  also  redficed  in  quantity  as  well  as 
quality.  Less  rye  and  wheat  is  raised  than  formerly, 
but  quite  as  much  Indian  corn  ;  oats  less,  and  barley 
probably  more.  The  greatest  manufacturing  interest 
in  the  town  is  its  lumber.  Large  quantities  of  white- 
pine  timber  have  been  manufactured  here  in  times  past : 
the  old  growth  is  becoming  scarce,  being  nearly  all 
cut  off.     Considerable  quantities  of  the  second  growth 


I20  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

of  pines  are  now  sawed  into  pail-staves,  and  other 
articles  of  various  kinds.  The  hard  wood  is  worked 
into  chair-stuff,  brush-woods,  and  broom-handles. 

There  are  fifteen  saw-mills  in  the  town,  which  an- 
nually send  to  market  more  than  one  million  feet  of 
lumber.  There  are  three  pail-stave  shops,  and  three 
or  four  shops  with  circular  saws  attached,  to  cut  chair- 
plank  and  many  other  small  articles ;  one  axe-shop, 
three  blacksmith-shops,  and  three  tanneries ;  three 
stores  (one  of  them  is  a  small  union-store),  one  tavern, 
and  one  post-office.  The  decline  of  population  and 
of  business  in  this  town  may  be  mainly  attributed  to 
its  exclusion  from  the  privilege  of  a  railroad  passing 
through  it ;  while  all  the  adjoining  towns  but  one  have 
a  railroad  ddp6t  to  accommodate  them,  and  facilitate 
the  transportation  of  their  productions  to  market. 

Although  I  know  little  of  geology,  I  am  induced  to 
believe,  from  the  few  discoveries  that  have  been  made 
by  scientific  men,  and  the  many  indications  so  appar- 
ent on  its  surface,  of  mineral  productions,  that  War- 
wick will  one  day  be  rich  in  her  inexhaustible  stores  of 
iron  and  lead  and  copperas  and  firestone,  and  many 
othrer  valuable  and  useful  articles  in  manufactures  and 
commerce. 

-  Little,  however,  has  been  discovered  yet ;  but  that 
little  may  authorize  us  to  expect  an  abundant  supply 
of  many  of  the  foregoing  articles,  and  others,  perhaps, 
not  now  thought  of 

I  will  state,  from  memory  and  traditionary  lore,  some 
facts  and  discoveries  which  I  myself  have  seen,  or 
heard  from  others.  As  to  iron-ore,  that  is  abundant 
in  many  places  within  the  town,  I  know  very  well. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  12 1 

As  to  the  extent  of  the  bog-ore  I  cannot  say ; 
but  I  can  say,  that,  within  my  memory,  the  sound  of 
the  trip-hammer  was  regularly  heard  from  day  to  day, 
and  iron  of  the  best  quality  was  there  manufactured. 
I  have  now  a  small  piece  of  chain  which  was  made 
from  that  ore :  it  is  strong,  tough,  and  very  malleable. 
For  many  years  it  was  used  with  a  draught-chain  on 
the  ground  to  draw  logs  and  timber  ;  and  seldom  would 
a  link  break  in  that  chain,  although  not  more  than 
half  the  size  of  the  other. 

For  want  of  proper  encouragement,  or  want  of 
funds,  or  for  some  other  cause  to  me  unknown,  the 
business  was  stopped.  I  have  heard  it  stated  that  the 
ore  failed  ;  and  well  it  might,  as  but  one  little  spot  was 
ever  opened  or  searched  out  to  my  knowledge ;  and 
millions  of  tons  may  now  lie  concealed  above  and  be- 
low that  place,  and  may  forever  lie  so  concealed,  unless 
some  accidental  discovery,  or  some  scientific  research, 
is  made  to  bring  it  to  light.  The  old  forge  stood  about 
two  miles  southerly  from  the  centre  of  the  town,  and 
a  little  below  Morse's  Pond,  near  where  Dea.  George 
W.  Moore's  saw-mill  now  is. 

About  one  mile  south  of  this  place  is  Round  Motm- 
tain  (so  called)  :  on  its  north-easterly  side  there  are 
many  striking  indications  of  iron  and  copperas,  the 
stones  slacking  when  exposed  to  the  light  and  air,  and 
emitting  a  sulphurous  smell.  A  little  more  than  a 
mile  south  of  this  place,  as  I  was  surveying  a  piece  of 
land  forty  years  ago,  my  attention  was  called  by  the 
proprietor  of  the  land  to  a  certain  spot  where  he  had 
dug  a  hole  about  a  foot  or  a  foot  and  a  half  deep,  as 
he  said,  to  find  the  brimstone ;    and  it  smelled  very 


122  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Strong  of  that  article.  It  was  of  a  red  or  yellowish 
color.  I  took  a  little,  and  rubbed  it  in  my  hands  :  it 
not  only  colored  them,  but  the  smell  of  brimstone  con- 
tinued even  after  I  had  washed  them  thoroughly. 

I  intended,  when  Prof  Hitchcocjc  made  the  geologi- 
cal survey  of  the  State,  to  have  been  present,  and 
shown  him,  not  only  this,  but  several  other  places  and 
substances  that  I  could  have  pointed  out  to  him  with- 
in the  limits  of  the  town  ;  one  in  particular,  where  a 
certain  kind  of  earth,  or  paint,  is  found,  which,  as  tradi- 
tion tells  the  story,  a  man  living  near  by  used  to  dig, 
and  use  to  paint  his  cart-wheels. 

The  owner  of  the  land,  who  is  now  dead,  told  me 
that  he  called  it  his  terre  de  Seine,  as  it  resembled  the 
earth  which  is  found  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Seine 
in  France,  from  which  it  derived  its  name.  Black- 
lead  is  also  found  in  this  town,  many  rocks  being  found 
that  have  black-lead  in  their  interstices.  Iron-ore  has 
been  found  on  Mount  Grace  ;  and  also  pure  lead  was 
found  on  its  north-east  lobe  {Bennett's  Knob)  by  one  of 
tjie  first  settlers :  he  had  the  iron-ore  experimented 
on,  which  resulted  in  the  fact  that  it  was  too  unmallea- 
ble  and  too  brittle  for  common  wrought-iron. 

There  is  iron-rock  ore  on  the  Daniel  Johnson  Farm, 
in  the  east  part  of  Warwick,  near  the  old  turnpike- 
road  that  leads  to  Orange.  Many  years  ago,  there 
were  considerable  quantities  of  it  dug,  and  carted  to 
Worcester  to  be  made  into  emery. 

There  is  also  firestone,  or  freestone,  discovered  by 
Prof  Hitchcock  when  he  surveyed  the  State,  and  be- 
lieved to  be  inexhaustible,  situated  only  about  half  a 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  1 23 

mile  from  the  middle  of  the  town.  For  a  proper  de- 
scription of  the  two  last-mentioned  articles',  reference 
may  be  had  to  said  Hitchcock's  Geological  Report,  in 
every  town-clerk's  office  in  the  State. 

There  is  a  place  on  the  farm,  formerly  owned  by  ]\Ir. 
Wilder  Stevens,  where  there  are  several  Indian  mor- 
tars, as  they  are  called  ;  viz.,  deep  and  nearly  round, 
smooth  holes  in  the  solid  rock,  and  three  or  four  feet 
deep  ;  and  the  largest  is  perhaps  two  feet  across :  they 
are  as  smooth  as  if  worn  out  by  water,  and  similar  to 
some  holes  that  I  have  seen  in  the  bed  of  Deerfield 
River,  in  a  dry  time  at  Shelburne  Falls  ;  and  what 
renders  it  more  remarkable  is  the  fact  that  they  are 
located  on  the  highest  land  (excepting  the  mountain- 
tops)  between  the  valley  of  Miller's  River  on  the 
south  and  the  Ashuelot  on  the  north,  near  where 
the  water  descends  each  way  towards  those  rivers. 

On  land  formerly  owned  by  Mr.  Nathan  Hastings, 
there  is  a  place,  under  a  shelving  rock,  that  was  once  a 
bear's  den ;  and  a  young  cub  was  caught  there,  and 
Mrs.  Hastings  actually  nursed  it  at  her  own  breast. 
Not  a  great  distance  from  that  place,  on  Mr.  Thomas 
Mallard's  farm,  there  is  a  hole  in  the  ledges,  where 
formerly,  if  a  stone  was  dropped  into  it,  the  stone 
might  be  heard  to  rattle  down,  down,  until  out  of 
hearing.  Subsequently  the  boys  have  thrown  in  so 
many  stones,  that  the  passage  has  got  stopped  up  ;  and 
the  stones  do  not  now  descend  far  into  the  cavern. 

Mount  Grace  is  situated  near  the  centre  of  War- 
wick, and  is  one  of  the  highest  mountains  in  the  State 
(according  to  State  survey,  it  is  sixteen  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  feet  high).     The  water  runs   out  of  this 


124 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


town,  east,  west,  north,  and  south.  To  the  east  and 
south  it  falls  into  Miller's  River ;  to  the  north  into 
the  Ashuelot  at  Winchester,  N.H. ;  and  west  into  the 
Connecticut  River  in  Northfield. 

In  the  year  1830  I  surveyed  and  measured  all  the 
roads  in  Warwick,  and  made  a  plan  of  the  town,  for  a 
map  of  the  State.  There  were  seventy-six  miles  of 
county  and  town  roads  at  that  time  ;  and  there  must 
be  about  the  same  now.  There  have  been  quite  a  num- 
ber of  roads  laid  out  and  built  at  great  expense  since 
that  time,  and  many  have  been  discontinued. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  this  town,  we  find  the 
names  of  Joseph  Goodell«,  Samuel  Bennet,  Dea.  James 
Ball,  Amos  Marsh,  Solomon  Eager,  Thomas  Rich, 
Moses  Leonard,  Col.  Samuel  Williams,  Dea.  Silas 
Towne,  Col.  Joseph  Mayo,  Caleb  Mayo,  Capt.  John 
Go]jdsbury,  Capt.  Mark  Moore,  and  Jonathan  Moore. 
Some  of  the  above  have  descendants  still  living  here  ; 
and  others  we  know  nothing  of,  except  from  the 
records. 

In  the  winter  of  1832  there  were  forty-six  individ- 
uals in  the  town  that  were  over  seventy  years  of  age  ; 
twenty-three  men,  and  twenty-three  women.  I  now 
find,  on  Feb.  1,1854,  the  following  list  of  aged  people ;  * 
but  not  one  of  them  was  seventy  years  old  when  I 
then  wrote  :  those  forty-six  have  all  died,  or  removed 
from  town,  within  twenty-two  years. 

See  Appendix,  page  198. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  125 


CONTINUATION 

OF    THE    HISTORY    OF    WARWICK    FROM    1854   TO    1872,    RY 
DEACON    HERVEY    BARBER. 

August,  1854.  —  The  town  voted  to  instruct  the 
town-agent  (James  Stockwell)  to  ascertain  whether 
a  new  trial  on  the  Murdock  case  can  be  had  ;  also 
voted  to  pay  the  expense  of  transporting  the  bag- 
gage of  the  Warwick  Light  Infantry  to  and  from  the 
place  of  encampment  the  present  year. 

May,  1855.  —  The  town  voted  upon  the  several 
amendments  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Common- 
wealth, passed  by  the  last  two  legislatures,  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

Art.  I,  yeas  31,  nays  3  ;  Art.  2,  yeas  34,  hays  o ; 
Art,  3,  yeas  34,  nays  o ;  Art.  4,  yeas  34,  nays  o ;  Art. 
5,  yeas  34,  nays  o  ;  Art.  6,  yeas  34,  nays  o. 

March  17,  1856.  —  Article  4  in  the  warrant  for  a 
town-meeting  is  as  follows  :  "  To  see  if  the  town  will 
vote  to  purchase  or  hire  a  farm  for  the  purpose  of 
supporting  the  town-paupers,  or  act  thereon."  Also 
voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee  to  receive 
proposals  for  a  town-farm,  and  report  at  an  adjourned 
meeting. 

Voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  until  two  weeks  from 
this  date,  to  hear  said  report. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting,  the  selectmen  made  the 
following  report :  — 


126  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Received  proposals  from  Asa  Bancroft  for  his  home- 
farm,  with  the  buildings  thereon,  at  .         .         .  $2,700 
Of  Dea.  Sylvanus  Ward  for  his  home-farm  and  build- 
ings, at  .          .         .         .         .         ...         .  2,000 

For  his  Ashbell  Ward  place  and  buildings         .         .  1,000 

From  Daniel  Felton  for  his  home-farm  and  buildings,  1,700 

From  S.  T.  Delvee  for  his  home-farm  and  buildings,  1,500 

They  also  report,  that,  in  their  opinion,  the  town  can  save 
$300  per  year  by  purchasing  Dea.  Ward's  home-farm,  or 
Asa  Bancroft's  ;  and  recommend  to  the  town  to  choose  a 
committee  to  investigate  the  subject,  and  authorize  said 
committee  to  purchase  such  farm  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

Ibri  Baker,  \ 

Clark  Stearns,  S  Cornmittee. 

H.  G.  Mallard,  ) 

Wakwick,  March  31,  1856. 

Voted  to  lay  the  report  on  the  table :  afterwards 
the  town  voted  to  purchase  a  town-farm. 

Also  voted  to  choose  a  committee  of  seven  persons, 
including  the  selectmen,  to  purchase  a  farm  on  which 
to  support  the  paupers  of  the  town. 

Voted  and  chose  the  selectmen  by  nomination. 

Voted,  and  chose  Edward  Mayo,  James  Stockwell, 
S.  N.  Atwood,  and  Hervey  Barber,  by  ballot.  Said 
committee,  after  examining  the  farms  in  the  above 
report,  and  Ezekiel  ElUs's,  Joseph  W.  Phillips's,  and 
Kimball  Whitney's,  and  conferring  with  the  owners, 
and  considerable  consultation  among  themselves, 
voted,  six  to  one,  to  purchase  the  Bancroft  Farm.  A 
few   days   after,    said   committee   purchased   of  Asa 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


127 


Bancroft  his  home-farm  and  a  wood-lot  adjoining  for 
the  sum  of  ^2,700.  They  soon  purchased  stock,  tools, 
and  furniture  sufficient  for  the  use  of  said  farm  and 
house,  for  $1,300;  and  early  in  May  following  they 
hired  a  man  and  his  wife  to  take  charge  of  the  estab- 
lishment, under  the  superintendence  of  the  selectmen, 
for  the  sum  of  $175. 

Our  town-farm  has  been  improved,  and  nearly  all 
of  the  paupers  have  been  supported  in  that  manner, 
from  that  time  to  the  present  (1872),  to  the  satisfaction 
of  a  large  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town. 
Our  paupers  have  a  comfortable  home,  without  the 
continued  suspense  of  removal  from  year  to  year,  as 
was  the  previous  custom,  when  their  maintenance  was 
contracted  for  by  the  year  to  those  that  were  willing 
to  take  them  the  cheapest ;  and  even  under  that  form 
of  support,  for  some  years  previous  to  maintaining  an 
almshouse,  it  cost  the  town  over  six  hundred  dollars 
per  annum  :  but,  since  we  have  adopted  the  present 
system,  the  largest  expense  per  annum  has  been  but 
a  little  over  three  hundred  dollars,  and  some  years  less 
than  one-half  that  amount ;  and  one  year  the  cost  to 
the  town  was  only  twenty-four  and  a  half  cents  per 
week  for  each  person  supported,  including  interest  on 
money  invested,  labor,  clothing  for  paupers,  doctor's 
bills,  and  all  other  necessary  expenses  for  the  year,  — 
the  growth  of  stock  and  the  products  of  farm  paying 
all  the  other  expenses.  And  we  have  supported  from 
eight  to  twelve  persons  during  all  these  years,  all  be- 
ing old  and  feeble  people,  able  to  perform  but  very 
little  labor,  —  a  larger  number  than  would  be  the  aver- 
age for  as  many  years  previous  to  the  purchase  of  the 
town-farm. 


128  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Aug.  31,  1856.  —  Voted  to  give  School  District  No.  i 
leave  to  build  a  schoolhouse  on  the  common,  near 
where  the  old  meeting-house  stood.  During  the  au- 
tumn, the  present  schoolhouse  was  built  on  the  spot 
where  it  now  stands. 

May  I,  1857.  —  The  inhabitants  met  and  voted 
upon  the  following  amendments  to  the  Constitution  of 
the  Commonwealth,  that  were  agreed  upon  by  the 
legislatures  of  1856  and  1857:  Art.  i,  48  yeas,  34 
nays ;  Art.  2,  36  yeas,  46  nays  ;  Art.  3,  44  yeas,  38 
nays.  Also  voted  to  raise  $1,000  for  the  purpose  of 
paying  off  the  town-debt. 

1858.  —  At  a  legal  town-meeting,  thq  town  voted 
and  chose  Henry  G.  Mallard  agent  to  take  charge  of 
the  pauper  case,  commenced  against  the  inhabitants 
of  Warwick  by  the  town  of  Northfield,  with  instruc- 
tions to  manage  the  case  as  he  thinks  will  be  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  town.  This  case  was  prosecuted 
to  final  judgment ;  the  result  being  that  the  pauper 
(Miss  Adeline  Phelps),  an  insane  person,  was  as- 
signed to  the  town  of  Northfield  for  her  future  sup- 
port. 

March  i.  —  Voted  to  notify  all  future  town-meetings 
by  posting  an  attested  copy  of  the  warrant  at  the  post- 
office,  and  another  at  Scott's  store,  and  a  notice  at 
each  meeting-house  in  town,  seven  days  previous  to 
the  meeting. 

March  7,  1859.  —  Voted  that  a  copy  of  the  warrant 
be  posted  at  the  hotel,  instead  of  Scott's  store. 

May  9,  1858.  —  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  met 
at  a  legal  town-meeting,  and  voted  upon  the  amend- 
ment  to   the    Constitution    of    the    Commonwealth, 


HISTORY    OF    WARWICK.  129 

agreed  upon  by  its  last  two  legislatures,  as  follows  : 
Yeas,  6  ;  nays,  36. 

Oct.  2,  1858.  —  The  funerals  of  Lemuel  Scott  and 
Henry  G.  Mallard  were  attended  from  the  Unitarian 
church  ;  a  large  audience  being  present,  and  in  full 
sympathy  with  the  afflicted  families,  as  two  young 
men  in  the  midst  of  their  usefulness  were  suddenly 
stricken  down  by  typhoid-fever,  causing  a  sadness 
not  often  experienced  by  the  people  of  the  town  since 
its  first  settlement. 

May  7,  i860.  —  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  met 
at  a  legal  town-meeting,  and  gave  in  their  votes  on 
the  amendments  of  the  Constitution  agreed  upon  by 
the  last  two  legislatures  of  the  Commonwealth,  as 
follows:  Article  i,  18  yeas,  i  nay  ;  Article  2,  8  yeas, 
II  nays. 

The  whole  number  of  persons  between  the  ages  of 
eighteen  and  forty-five  enrolled  in  the  militia.  May, 
i860,  was  145. 

March  2,  1861.  —  The  whole  amount  of  indebted- 
ness of  the  town,  as  per  report  of  selectmen,  over 
and  above  resources,  was  1^2,527.03. 

Nov.  I.  —  The  selectmen  of  the  towns  of  Orange 
and  Warwick  met,  according  to  appointment,  and 
erected  stone  monuments  on  the  town-line,  beside 
each  of  the  highways  running  between  said  towns,  as 
provided  by  chapter  84  of  the  Acts  of  1861  ;  and  the 
selectmen  of  Northfield  and  Warwick  performed  the 
same  service  on  the  line  of  their  towns  Nov.  13 
of  the  same  year ;  also  the  aforesaid  town-officers  of 
Winchester  performed  the  like  services  on  the  line  of 
said  towns  Nov.  15  ;    and  again  those  of  Royalston 


I30 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


and    Warwick    did   the   same   between    their   towns 
Nov.  1 6. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  war,  the  town  in  its 
corporate  capacity  did  not  take  any  action  in  the 
matter:  but  July  28,  1862,  the  town  voted  to  instruct 
the  selectmen  to  offer  a  bounty  of  $100  to  each  vol- 
unteer to  the  number  of  thirteen  ;  also  voted  to 
instruct  the  selectmen  to  petition  the  next  General 
Court  to  pass  an  act  legalizing  the  assessment  of  said 
bounty  upon  the  polls  and  estates  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town. 

Aug.  25,  1862.  —  Voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen 
to  offer  a  bounty  of  $100  to  each  person  who  shall 
volunteer  and  be  accepted  to  fill  the  quota  of  the 
town  on  the  last  gall  for  300,000  men  by  the  Presi- 
dent. 

Voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen  to  borrow  money 
for  the  before-named  purpose. 

Also  voted  to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  petition  the 
next  General  Court  for  the  assessment  of  the  same 
upon  the  polls  and  estates  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town. 

December,  1862.  —  The  town  received  the  present 
of  a  bell  from  Col.  McKim  (his  wife  is  a  daughter  of 
Col.  Lemuel  Wheelock,  a  former  resident  of  this  town). 
Said  bell  was  suspended  from  the  dome  of  the  village 
schoolhouse,  as  wished  by  the  donor,  and  dedicated 
by  a  public  meeting,  with  appropriate  speeches  from 
several  of  the  citizens  of  our  town,  expressing  their 
gratitude  to  the  giver  for  his  valuable  and  very  useful 
gift.* 

*  See  Appendix,  page  190. 


HISTORY  OF   WARWICK.  13 1 

Feb.  17,  1863.  —  Deacon  Hervey  Barber  gave  a 
lecture  in  the  evening,  giving  some  of  the  more  im- 
portant events  in  the  past  history  of  the  town  (it 
being  the  centennial  anniversary  of  its  incorporation), 
in  the  Unitarian  church,  which  was  heard  by  a  large 
and  attentive  audience.  March  2.  —  The  town  voted 
to  empower  the  treasurer,  with  the  approbation  of 
the  selectmen,  to  borrow  money  to  be  expended  as 
aid  to  families  of  volunteers.  Amount  paid  to 
twenty-two  volunteers  previous  to  March  2,  1863, 
$2,202.78.  April  2.  —  The  town  voted  on  the  fol- 
lowing amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Com- 
monwealth ;  viz.,  "  No  person  of  foreign  birth  shall  be 
entitled  to  vote,  or  shall  be  eligible  to  office,  until  he 
shall  have  resided  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States  for  two  years  subsequent  to  having 
received  his  naturalization-papers,  and  shall  be  other- 
wise qualified  as  required  by  the  Constitution  and 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth."  The  votes  being  re- 
ceived anfl  counted,  there  were  40  yeas  ;  nays,  none. 

Dec.  12,  1863.  —  Voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen 
to  procure  volunteers  for  the  United-States  service. 

April  6,  1864. — Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  $1,500, 
to  be  assessed,  or  as  much  of  the  same  as  the  select- 
men shall  deem  necessary,  to  be  expended  in  the 
payment  of  bounties  to  soldiers  who  have  volunteered 
or  shall  volunteer  on  the  town's  quota. 

June  13,  1864.  —  Voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  $624 
to  indemnify  the  selectmen  for  moneys  expended  in 
furnishing  recruits  for  the  United-States  service,  the 
same  to  be  assessed  the  present  year ;  also  voted  to 
instruct  the  selectmen  to  fill  by  enlistment  of  recruits 


132 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


all  future  quotas  of  said  town  on  future  calls  previous 
to  a  draft  being  made  or  ordered  ;  also  voted  to  au- 
thorize the  selectmen  to  borrow  money  for  the  same. 

What  follows  was  taken  from  Adj -Gen.  Schouler's 
"  History  of  Massachusetts  in  the  Civil  War,"  vol.  li. 
Warwick  incorporated  Feb.  17,  1763.  Population  in 
1860,932;  in  1*865,909.  Valuation  in  i860,  ^342,- 
556;  in  1865,  $220,6S7' 

The  selectmen  in  1861  and  1862  were  William  H. 
Bass,  Sylvanus  N.  Atwood,  Charles  R.  Gale  ;  in  1863, 
Charles  R.  Gale,  Hervey  Barber,  Eben  G.  Ball ;  in 
1864,  Hervey  Barber,  Eben  G.  Ball,  Jesse  F.  Bridge  ; 
in  1865,  E.  F.  Mayo,  J.  F.  Bridge,  William  H.  Gale. 

The  town-clerk  during  all  these  years  of  the  war 
was  Edward  F.  Mayo.  The  town-treasurer  in  1861, 
1862,  and  1863,  was  Benjamin  G.Putnam;  in  1864 
and  1865,  Philip  Young. 

Mr.  Mayo,  the  town-clerk,  writes,  "  The  men  who 
went  from  our  town  were  among  our  best  citizens  ; 
and  those  that  have  returned  to  us  fully  octupy  their 
former  stations.  We  have  lost  in  the  war  twenty-six 
men.  Alexander  Cooper,  sergeant  of  Company  G, 
Thirty-sixth  Regiment  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
was  more  than  three  years  in  the  army,  and  was  dis- 
charged for  wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania.  He 
was  killed  Nov.  22,  1866,  by  the  fall  of  a  derrick,  while 
raising  a  stone  for  the  soldiers'  monument  in  this 
town." 

Warwick  furnished  ninety-nine  men  for  the  war ; 
which  was  a  surplus  of  nine  above  all  demands. 

April  6,  1864. — The  town  voted  to  accept  of  the 
grant  of  land  given  by  Mrs.  Experience  C.  Fisk  for 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  133 

an  addition  to  our  burying-ground,  complying  with 
the  conditions  of  said  grant.  Also  voted  that  the 
Chair  appoint  a  committee  of  three  persons  to  draft 
suitable  resolutions,  expressing  the  gratitude  of  the 
town  to  the  donor, .and  report  to  this  meeting;  the 
same  to  be  presented  to  Mrs.  Fisk,  and  a  copy  to  be 
inscribed  on  the  records  of  the  town. 

Rev.  I.  S.  Lincoln,  William  H.  Bass,  and  Deacon 
G.  W.  Moore  were  nominated  by  H.  Barber,  chair- 
man, and  confirmed  by  the  town.  Then  voted  that 
the  selectmen  be  a  committee  to  examine  the  grounds, 
and  report  at  a  future  meeting.  The  committee  to 
draft  resolutions,  &c.,  reported  as  follows  :  — 

Whereas,  As  Mrs.  Experience  C.  Fisk  presented  to  the 
town  of  Warwick  a  beautiful  and  valuable  lot  of  land  con- 
tiguous to  tiie  existing  cemetery  :  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  said  town  receive  the  same 
with  gratitude,  and,  in  town-meeting  assembled,  return  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  donor  for  her  most  valuable  and 
acceptable  gift. 

Resolved,  That  this  land  thus  received,  and  consecrated 
as  a  resting-place  for  the  dead,  shall  be  called  the  Fisk 
Cemetery. 

Resolved,  That  the  town-clerk  is  hereby  instructed  to  place 
this  preamble  and  resolutions  upon  the  town-records,  and 
present  the  same  to  the  donor,  and  send  a  copy  thereof  to 
the  editor  of  "  The  Gazette  and  Courier  "  at  Greenfield,  for 
publication. 

I.  S.  Lincoln,  \ 

G.  W.  MooRE,  ^  Committee. 

W.  H.  Bass,      ) 

Warwick,  April  6,  1865. 

The  selectmen,  being  chosen  a  committee  for  that  pur- 


134 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


pose,  examined  the  grounds  given  by  Mrs.  Fisk,  and  reported 
that  said  grounds  needed  fencing  on  three  sides  ;  that  some 
parts  needed  levening;"that  several  old  trees  should  be  cut 
down,  and  the  old  cellar  be  filled  up ;  that  walks  and  drive- 
ways should  be  made,  and  that  it  should  be  otherwise  beauti- 
fied, to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  donor. 

Hervey  Barber,  \    ■ 

E.  G.  Ball,  \  Committee. 

J.  F.  Bridge,       ) 


Report  accepted  by  the  town  ;  and  the  selectmen 
were  instructed  to  carry  the  substance  of  said  report 
into  effect. 

The  above  improvements  were  made  during  the 
season  ;  and  several  times  since  the  town  has  directed 
their  selectmen  to  make  further  alterations  ;  so  that 
when  the  ornamental  trees  have  become  some  larger, 
and  all  vacant  places  that  were  at  first  proposed  for 
trees  of  various  kinds  are  filled,  the  Fisk  Cemetery 
will  compare  favorably  with  ^ny  in  this  vicinity. 

1865.  —  As  per  report  of  the  oversee^  of  the  poor,  the 
sum-total  of  expense  of  paupers  on  the  town  the  past  year 
is  $121.35. 

Whole  number  of  weeks'  board  of  paupers  on  the  town- 
farm  was  364. 

Average  cost  of  board  per  week,  2)Zk  cents  each. 

Whole  expense  of  the  farm,  $141.70. 

Sum-total  of  expense  for  the  year,  $263.05. 

Hervey  Barber,  )    _  r  ,y     ry 

T  -I-  -n.  (  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 

Jesse  F.  Bridge,  ) 

Warwick,  March  4,  1865. 

A  small  expense  per  week  for  the  support  of  per- 


HISTORY  OF  Warwick.  135 

sons  on  the  town-farm,  which  speaks  favorably  for  the 
way  we  support  our  paupers,  and  the  manner  that  we 
proceed  in  cultivating  the  farm,  and  superintending 
the  whole  concern. 

This  year  there  died  at  Whately  (at  the  residence 
of  her  son,  Samuel  Lesure,  Esq.)  Mrs.  Hannah  Le- 
sure,  widow  of  Mr.  Samuel  Lesure,  aged  10 1  years, 
4  months,  and  12  days.  Samuel  Lesure,  sen.,  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  and 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  for 
some  years  a  pensioner.  His  widow  received  a  pen- 
sion also  after  the  decease  of  her  husband  until  the 
time  of  her  departure  to  that  '*  better  land."  We  will 
now  record  a  traditionary  anecdote,  related  by  one  of 
her  contemporaries,  which  may  interest  the  younger 
portion  of  our  readers. 

While  her  husband  was  absent  in  the  service  of  his 
country,  between  the  years  1780  and  1783,  Mrs. 
Lesure  espied  one  evening  in  the  twilight,  in  the  edge 
of  the  woods  near  her  dwelling-house,  a  large  bear, 
coolly  taking  a  survey  of  the  log-house  and  its  sur- 
roundings. And,  knowing  that  bears  have  a  particu- 
lar penchant  for  pigs,  she  immediately  took  hers  from 
the  pen,  and  put  it  in  the  house  ;  closed  the  door,  and 
barricaded  it  with  table,  stools,  and  blocks,  and  other 
movables  that  the  dwelling  contained  ;  put  her  large 
fire-shovel  into  the  embers  ;  and  patiently  waited  the 
result.  Soon  Bruin  niade  his  assault  upon  the  door, 
and  she  could  plainly  see  his  nose  under  the  door, 
which  was  hung  on  wooden  hinges,  also  fastened  with 
a  wooden  latch,  and  a  string,  for  the  purpose  of  open- 
ing, suspended  from  the  outside,  —  locks  at  that  time 


136  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

being  almost  unknown.  The  floor  being  laid  with 
loose  boards,  the  door  fitted  none  of  the  best.  But, 
not  being  able  to  force  an  entrance,-he  next  went  to 
the  slide  board-window  (glass  at  that  time  was  very 
scarce),  which,  in  her  haste,  she  had  neglected  to  fas- 
ten. This  he  soon  forced  open  enough  to  admit  his 
head,  when  our  heroine  seized  the  shovel,  and  made 
such  an  onslaught  upon  the  head  of  the  bear,  that  he 
soon  retreated  to  the  woods  with  growls  and  snarls, 
and  left  our  hostess  and  her  lodger  in  quiet  possession 
of  her  humble  abode.  And  when  Mrs.  Lesure  was 
over  a  hundred  years  of  age,  she  showed  both  her  ability 
to  labor  and  her  patriotism  by  knitting  stockings  for 
our  soldiers  that  had  left  their  homes  to  sustain  our 
government  when  threatened  by  traitors  belonging  to 
the  slaveholders'  rebellion. 

1866. —  See  account  of  the  building  of  the  soldiers' 
monument,  which  contains  all  the  votes  of  the  town, 
except  those  usually  recorded  every  year.* 

March  4,  1867. — The  town  voted  to  authorize  the 
treasurer,  with  the  approbation  of  the'  selectmen,  to 
borrow  money  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  volun- 
teers, disabled  soldiers,  and  the  families  of  the  slain  ; 
and  the  same  vote  has  been  passed  at  the  annual 
March  meeting  each  year  from  that  time  to  the 
present. 

Nov.  3,  1868.  — Town  voted  to  pay  Andrew  F.  Nor- 
ton his  town  bounty  (;^I25),  with  interest,  from  the 
date  of  his  enlistment  as  a  soldier  accredited  to  War- 
wick in  the  war  of  the  late  Rebellion. 

Norton's  name,  with  several  others,  had  been  before 

*  On  pages  146-149. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  137 

the  town,  and  the  selectmen  as  a  committee  to  inves- 
tigate the  subject,  for  over  two  years.  The  others 
failed  to  receive  -their  bounty,  not  from  any  neglect  of 
duty,  but  from  being  unfortunate  in  the  time  of  en- 
listment, it  being  prior  to  the  date  of  the  act  making 
it  legal  for  towns  to  pay  the  above  bounty. 

1869.  —  The  legislature  of  the  Commonwealth 
passed  an  act  abolishing  the  school-district  system. 

April  17.  —  The  town  voted  to  choose  a  committee 
to  appraise  the  school-houses,  and  report  at  a  future 
meeting ;  then  voted  that  the  selectmen  (James  S. 
Wheeler,  E.  F.  Mayo,  and  H.  H.  Jillson)  be  said  com- 
mittee. Also  voted,  and  added  George  N.  Richards 
and  William  H.  Bass  to  the  committee. 

And  voted  to  adjourn  this  meeting  to  May  15,  at 
three  o'clock,  p.m.,  to  hear  the  report  of  said  com- 
mittee. 

May  15.  —  The  inhabitants  met  agreeably  to  ad- 
journment ;  heard  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the 
appraisal  of  school-houses,  and  voted  to  lay  the  report 
over  to  the  next  March  meeting. 

Sept.  6,  1870.  —  The  town  voted  unanimously  to 
accept  of  the  act,  and  return  to  the  school-district 
system. 

Nov.  8.  —  Voted  to  appropriate  $100  for  the  bene- 
fit of  a  public  library.  Also  voted  to  accept  of  the 
two  pieces  of  land  north  of  Nahum  Jones's  boot-shop  ; 
the  same  to  be  kept  as  a  public  park,  and  to  be  kept 
enclosed  with  a  suitable  and  substantial  fence.  And 
also  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee  to  dis- 
pose of  the  timber  on  the  town-farm,  if,  in  their 
opinion,  it  \vould  be  for  the  best  interests  of  the  town. 


138  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

The  proprietors  of  the  park,  prior  to  the  above  vote, 
were  several  citizens  of  the  town,  who  had  authorized 
their  committee  to  convey  said  park  to  the  town,  on 
condition  that  the  town  would  vote  to  receive  it,  and  for- 
ever after  keep  it  in  suitable  repair,  as  an  ornament  to 
the  village.  Its  history  is  as  follows.  Some  time  in 
August,  1867,  Mrs.  M.  A.  McKim  (a  former  resident 
of  Warwick),  Mrs.  E.  C.  Sibley,  and  Miss  Sarah  Ball, 
circulated  a  subscription-paper  for  the  purpose  of 
purchasing  the  blacksmith-shop  lot,  north  of  Mrs. 
McKim's  new  house  in  Warwick  Village,  and  Mr. 
Jones's  lot,  north  of  his  boot-shop,  to  be  improved 
and  ornamented  for  a  public  park.  On  said  subscrip- 
tion-paper are  to  be  found  the  names  of  our  citizens 
to  the  amount  of  1^325,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
said  pieces  of  land.  After  said  facts  had  become 
known,  Mr.  Jones  generously  presented  his  lot,  and 
gave  a  deed  thereof  to  the  town  ;  and  the  blacksmith 
lot  was  purchased  of  A.  S.  Atherton,  Mrs.  McKim 
being  the  original  owner.  They  each  gave  $2^  for  the 
above  object.  The  proprietors,  or  rather  the  contrib- 
utors, met  at  the  hotel,  and  voted  to  choose  a  com- 
mittee of  three  persons  from  their  number  to  take 
charge  of  the  funds  contributed,  and  finish  off  and 
beautify  said  grounds  in  a  suitable  manner  for  a  pub- 
lic park.  Voted  and  chose  Hervey  Barber,  Calvin 
W.  Delva,  and  Edward  F.  Mayo,  said  committee, 
who  circulated  another  paper  for  subscriptions  for  the 
above  purpose  ;  and  they  obtained  the  promise  on  the 
same  of  the  sum  of  $127.50,  to  be  paid  in  money, 
labor,  and  materials,  as  specified  on  said  paper,  to  be 
expended  under  the  supervision  of  the  committee,  for 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


139 


the  purpose  of  levelling,  fencing,  the  setting  of  trees, 
and  otherwise  ornamenting  said  park.  The  commit- 
tee soon  commenced  their  work ;  and  after  some 
delays,  from  one  cause  and  another,  the  more  promi- 
nent one  being  the  want  of  funds,  and  the  county- 
commissioners  having  laid  a  road  in  such  a  way  as  to 
necessitate  the  selectmen  to  take  a  part  of  the  pro- 
prietors' lands  for  the  continuance  and  extension  of 
said  road,  the  lot,  being  fenced  and  nearly  finished, 
was  presented  to  the  town,  and  accepted,  as  above 
stated,  and  a  deed  of  warranty  given  by  Messrs. 
Jones  and  Atherton,  on  condition  that  the  town  ever 
after  keep  the  same  in  good  order,  and  continue  it  as 
a  public  park. 

March  6,  1871.  —  The  town  voted  to  accept  of  the 
proprietors'  library,  on  the  following  conditions  :  That 
the  town  shall,  at  the  annual  March  meeting  each 
year,  choose  a  board  of  five  trustees,  who  shall  have 
power  to  appoint  a  librarian,  to  furnish  a  suitable 
place  to  keep  the  library,  to  make  by-laws,  and  adopt 
such  regulations  for  its  government  and  support  as 
they  in  their  judgment  shall  think  best.  Said  trus- 
tees shall  have  power  to  fill  all  vacancies  which  may 
occur  by  reason  of  death,  removal,  or  otherwise, 
during  the  year.  They  shall  report  to  the  town 
at  the  annual  March  meeting  their  doings  and  the 
condition  of  the  library.  And  the  town  shall,  from 
time  to  time,  make  such  appropriations  as  shall  be 
necessary  to  increase  the  number  of  volumes,  and 
thereby  increase  the  usefulness  of  the  library.  And, 
when  the  town  shall  fail  to  comply  with  the  condi- 
tions on  which  they  receive  the  library,  it  shall  revert 


I40  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

to  the  original  owners.  The  town  voted,  and  chose 
as  trustees  of  the  library  Rev.  John  Goldsbury,  Dea- 
con H.  Barber,  Dr.  S.  P.  French,  Jesse  F.  Bridge, 
Esq.,  and  William  K.  Taylor.  Also  voted  to  appro- 
priate the  money  returned  to  the  town  by  the  county- 
treasurer,  from  the  dog-tax,  to  the  library;  to  be 
expended  by  the  trustees  for  the  benefit  of  the  same. 

April  lo.  —  The  town  voted  to  accept  a  donation  of 
$500,  given  by  Mrs.  Mary  Blake  Clap,  of  Dorchester 
District,  Boston,  and  comply  with  the  request  of  the 
donor,  which  was  as  follows :  "  That  said  sum  shall  be 
invested  by  the  town,  and  the  interest  arising  there- 
from shall  be  annually  applied  to  the  beautifying  and 
keeping  their  cemetery  in  repair.'' 

Alsf  voted  that  the  town-clerk  and  selectmen  con- 
stitute a  committee  to  draft  suitable  resolutions,  the 
same  to  be  presented  to  Mrs.  Clap,  and  also  to  be 
inscribed  upon  the  records  of  the  town,  expressing 
the  gratitude  of  the  town  to  the  donor  for  her  very 
acceptable  gift. 

The  committee  presented  the  following  report, 
which  was  accepted  by  the  town  :  — 


Preamble.  —  The  undersigned  having  been  chosen  by  the 
citizens  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  in  town-meeting  assem- 
bled, to  make  and  transmit  to  Mrs.  Mary  Blake  Clap,  of 
Boston,  an  expression  of  thanks,  and  the  grateful  acknowl- 
edgment thereof  of  the  people  of  this  town  for  her  gener- 
ous action. in  aid  of  our  cemetery;  therefore        ' 

Resolved,  That  we  herewith  present  to  Mrs.  Mary  Blake 
Clap,  of  Boston,  the  grateful  thanks  of  the  town  for  her 
very  generous  donation  to  the  town  as  a  cemetery-fund. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  141 

Resolved,  That  it  is  our  intention  to  carry  out  the  wishes 
expressed  by  the  donor,  and  comply  with  them  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  make  the  spot  endeared  to  us  as  the  last 
resting-place  of  the  bodies  of  our  relatives  and  friends  a 
pleasant  rather  than  a  gloomy  retreat. 

Arnon  S.  Atherton,  Town-Clerk. 

E.  F.  Mayo,       \ 

H.  H.  JiLLSON,  >  Selectmen. 

J.  F.  Bridge,      ) 

May  2.  —  The  town  voted  to  prohibit  the  sale  of 
ale,  porter,  strong  and  lager  beer,  within  the  limits  of 
the  town  the  ensuing  year. 

Nov.  7.  —  Voted  that  the  matter  concerning  school- 
districts  in  the  warrant  be  referred  to  the  chairman  of 
the  school-committee  and  the  selectmen,  who  shall 
take  the  subject  into  consideration,  and  report  at 
some  future  meeting. 

March  4,  1872.  —  Voted,  and  chose  William  H. 
Gale  moderator ;  also  Henry  H.  Jillson,  Jesse  F. 
Bridge,  and  James  L.  Stockwell,  selectmen,  and  assess- 
ors, and  overseers  of  poor ;  A.  S.  Atherton,  town- 
clerk  and  treasurer ;  George  A.  Gushing,  superin- 
tending school-committee  for  three  years ;  Nahum 
Jones,  Hervey  Barber,  Dr.  F^rench,  Jesse  F.  Bridge, 
and  William  !K.  Taylor,  trustees  of  the  public  library; 
William  K.  Taylor,  constable,  and  collector  of  taxes. 

Also  voted  to  accept  of  the  report  of  the  selectmen, 
which  leaves  a  balance  of  ^8,450,93,  as  the  indebted- 
ness of  the  town  above  all  resources. 

Voted  to  raise  two  per  cent  on  the  valuation,  which 
shall  constitute,  with  the  amount  assessed  upon  the 


1^2  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.' 

polls,  the  sum-total  of  the  State,  county,  and  town 
taxes  the  present  year. 

Voted  to  appropriate,  out  of  the  above,  $1,200  for 
the  use  of  the  schools  the  ensuing  year. 

Voted  to  appropriate  $100  to  be  expended  by  the 
trustees  for  the  enlargement  of  the  town-library. 

Voted  to  raise  one-half  per  cent  on  the  valuation, 
which  shall,  with  the  poll-taxes, -be  the  amount  to  be 
expended  on  the  highways  the  coming  year. 

Voted  to  continue  the  school-district  system.  Also 
voted  to  hear  the  report  of  the  committee  raised  at  a 
former  meeting  to  take  into  consideration  our  school- 
districts,  and  make  such  alteration  therein  as  may  be 
to  the  best  interests  of  the  town,  which  was  as  fol- 
lows, $0  wit :  — 

The  subscribers  chosen  by  the  town  as  a  committee  to 
make  such  alterations  in  the  bounds  of  several  school-dis- 
tricts have  attended  to  that  duty,  and  ask  leave  to  submit 
the  following  report :  — 

Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  will  be  for  the 
interest  of  the  town,  and  not  add  much  to  the  inconvenience 
of  the  inhabitants  of  said  districts,  to  annex  the  lands  and 
estates  of  Mrs.  Stratton,  George  W.  Smith,  Luke  :^elvee, 
Henry  Esketh,  and  the  Messrs.  Holden,  in  school-district 
No.  6,  to  district  No.  4  ;  and  unite  the  remaining  lands  and 
estates  of  school-district  No.  6  with  school-district  No.  3,  to 
be  called  school-district  No.  6,  —  its  original  number;  also 
unite  school-district  No.  10  with  No.  7,  to  be  continued  as 
No.  7  ;  also  that  district  No.  9  take  the  name  of  No.  3,  —  its 
former  number;  —  making  eight  districts  within  the  town, 
numbered  from  one  to  eight  in  regular  order.  And  we  are 
of  the  opinion  that  any  further  alterations  would  be  inexpe- 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  143 

dient  at  the  present  time.     All  of  which  is  submitted  for  the 
consideration  of  the  town. 

Hervey  Barber,  J 

E.  F.  Mayo,  >  Committee. 

J.  F.  Bridge,         ) 

Warwick,  Feb.  10,  1872. 


Also  voted  to  accept  of  the  report  of  the  Rev.  John 
Goldsbury  for  the  trustees  of  the  town-library ;  and 
ordered  the  same  to  be  printed  with  the  report  of  the 
school-committee,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town. 

And  the  trustees  at  their  annual  meeting  passed  a 
vote  of  thanks  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goldsbury  for  his  able, 
instructive,  and  interesting  report,  and  ordered  it 
inscribed  on  the  records  of  the  library. 

S.  P.  French,  Secretary. 

April  20,  1872.  —  At  a  town-meeting  held  for  the 
purpose,  it  was  voted  to  accept  of  a  second  donation 
of  ^500  from  Mrs.  Mary  Blake  Clap  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  cemetery,  and  comply  with  the  wishes  of 
the  donor  ;  and  that  the  selectmen  and  town-clerk  pre- 
sent to  her  the  thanks  of  the  town  for  her  acceptable 
and  desirable  gift. 

A.  S.  Atherton,  Town-Clerk. 


144  HISTORY    OF   WARWICK. 


THE  REBELLION  OF  1861-1865. 

The  outbreak  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  a  call 
for  troops  to  defend  the  national  capital,  although  not 
unexpected  by  our  people,  was  nevertheless  something 
of  a  surprise,  as  we  had  for  many  years  lived  in  peace, 
and  knew  very  little  of  the  waste   of  life,  of  time, 
and  of  treasure,  which  a  state  of  war  entails  upon  a 
.  community  therein  engaged.     At   this  time,  and  for 
many  years  previous,  no  military  organization  existed 
in  our  town  ;  and  our  whole  number  of  enrolled  militia 
consisted   of  less   than   one   hundred   and  fifty  men 
between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five  years,  of 
which  more  than  one-half  were  invalids,  or  in  some 
way  incompetent  to  do  military  duty.     Yet   on    the 
part  of  our  citizens,  both  old  and   young,  male  and 
female,  there  was  shown  a  persevering  determination 
to  support  the  government  in  putting  down  the  Rebel- 
lion by  enlisting  their  energies  in  sustaining  the  stars 
and  stripes,  and  maintaining  to  the  last  the  union  of 
all  the  States  of  our  beloved  country,  as  the  brief  his- 
tory of  what  we  shall  say  of  the  doings  of  our  patri- 
otic people  during  those  years  of  labor,  suspense,  and 
trial,  will  fully  corroborate  ;  and  which  shows  our  readi- 
ness and  willingness  to  sacrifice  time,  wealth,  and  even 
life,  in  our  country's  defence. 

We  would  first  record,  that  soon  after  the  assault 
upon  Fort  Sumter,  before  any  calls  had  been  made 
upon  our  town  for  troops,  a  large  number  of  our  young 
men  had  enlisted,  and  gone  to  the  front  to  assist  in 
sustaining  the  authorities  in  maintaining  the  rights  of 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


145 


all  American  citizens,  —  liberty,  freedom,  and  a 
strong  republican  government.  Although  the  ma- 
jority of  them  were  not  afterwards  accredited  to  our 
town,  yet  those  that  remained  rejoiced  to  see  so 
many  of  their  companions  and  neighbors  showing 
their  patriotism  by  giving  themselves  to  the  cause  of 
the  free  institutions  of  their  beloved  republic,  which 
were  now  threatened  by  their  deluded  Southern 
countrymen,  —  a  strong  evidence  to  those  that  re- 
mained that  the  principles  of  justice,  right,  and  free- 
dom, would  ultimately  prevail.  And  several  times 
during  the  war  large  contributions  of  clothing,  band- 
ages, lint,  and  palatable  kinds  of  preserves,  fruits,  and 
food,  were  collected  by  the  noble  women  of  our  town, 
and  sent  to  the  hospitals  for  the  comfort  and  subsist- 
ence of  our  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  who  were  suf- 
fering and  dying  to  sustain  the  best  government  on 
the  face  of  the  earth.  And  often  were  the  manly 
forms  of  our  fathers  and  sons  collected  together  to 
sustain  and  cheer  each  other,  as  doubt  and  hope  came 
over  the  wires  with  lightning-speed,  announcing  first 
defeat  and  then  victory  to  their  inquiring  and  anxious 
minds,  as  they  were  looking  for  news  from  the  army 
of  occupation  or  of  advance  into  the  enemy's  country. 
And  quite  often  large  subscriptions  were  collected  to 
aid  the  government  in  forwarding  men  to  the  front,  as 
they  were  called  for  from  time  to  time.  The  whole 
amount  of  money  appropriated  and  expended  by  the 
town  on  account  of  the  war,  exclusive  of  State  aid, 
was  ^8,786.09.  There  was  also  raised  by  private  sub- 
scription $2,638.21,  which  was  not  reimbursed  by  the 
town. 


146  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

The  amount  of  money  raised  and  expended  by  the 
town,  for  State  aid  to  soldiers'  families  during  the 
years  of  the  war,  and  which  was  afterwards  reim- 
bursed by  the  Commonwealth,  was  $6,403.07,  making 
a  sum-total  of  $17,827.37,  which  was  raised  by  our 
patriotic  citizens  during  those  years,  besides  large 
amounts  of  articles  of  various  kinds  sent  for  the 
relief  of  our  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.* 


THE   SOLDIERS'  MONUMENT. 

Nov.  7,  1865,  the  town  voted  to  erect  a  monument 
to  the  memory  of  its  deceased  soldiers  who  fell  in  the 
war  of  the  slaveholders'  rebellion. 

Also  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to 
obtain  drafts  and  plans  for  a  monument,  and  submit 
them  to  the  town  at  some  future  meeting. 

And  voted  that  the  committee  be  confined  to 
granite  as  the  material  for  building  said  monument. 

March  5,  1866,  voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen 
to  contract  for  furnishing  the  material  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  suitable  monument  to  the  memory  of  its 
deceased  soldiers,  and  to  authorize  said  selectmen  to 
borrow  a  sum  of  money,  not  exceeding  $1,000,  for  the 
same. 

Aug.  25,  the  town  voted  to  have  the  soldiers' 
monument  erected  in  the  Fisk  Cemetery. 

During  this  sea"son  a  beautiful  granite  monument 
was   purchased    by  the    selectmen,    and   transported 

*  See  Appendix,  page  189. 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  147 

from  the  quarry  in  Fitzvvilliam,  N.H.,  and  placed  in 
the  centre  of  the  Fisk  Cemetery,  on  suitable  and  sub- 
stantial foundations,  —  a  memorial  to  the  patriotism 
of  our  sons,  to  the  number  of  twenty-six,*"  whose 
names  are  inscribed  thereon,  and  will  show  to  future 
generations  the  gratitude  of  all  our  citizens  ;  that 
they  so  nobly  gave  their  lives  to  their  country  in  the 
suppression  of  the  greatest  rebellion  ever  known, 
thereby  showing  to  the  world  that  republican  institu- 
tions are  revered,  preserving  the  Union,  abolishing 
African  slavery,^  enlarging  the  freedom  of  all,  and 
leaving  our  land  in  a  situation  to  become  the  greatest, 
the  wisest,  and  the  happiest  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth. 

And  we  are  happy  to  record,  that  as  yet  no  one  has 
expressed  any  dissatisfaction  that  this  memento  to 
the  worth  of  our  lamented  sons  has  been  erected  to 
perpetuate  their  prowess  and  patriotism.  But  many 
there  are  who  rejoice  that  they  have,  in  this  commend- 
able manner,  commemorated  their  disinterestedness 
and  valor.  A  tribute  of  respect  is  due  to  those  of 
our  fellow-citizens  who  gave  their  influence  to  for- 
ward the  object,  and  especially  to  the  selectmen  who 
acted  for  the  town  in  its  corporate  capacity,  and 
those  friends  that  still  have  a  deep  interest  in  the 
prosperity  of  their  former  and  ever-to-be-remem- 
bered residence,  and  who  so  generously  contributed 
towards  its  completion,  in  a  sum  of  $336,  which, 
with  the  town's  grant  of  ^1,000,  makes  $1,336, 
which  is  the  total  expense  of  erecting  and  finishing 

*  See  names  in  Appendix,  page  180. 


148  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

both  the  monument  and  the    grounds    surrounding 
the  same. 

In  addition  to  what  has  ah'eady  been  said  of  the 
minerals  in  this  town,  we  would  say  that  the  radiated 
tourmaline,  found  in  large  quantities  on  Mt.  Grace,  is 
one  of  the  handsomest  of  its  kind  ;  and  there  are 
specimens  of  it  to  be  found  in  many  of  the  cabinets 
of  mineralogists  in  this  country,  and  in  several  in  the 
Old  World.  From  the  quarry  of  crystallized  quartz 
found  near  the  road  leading  from  the  Common  in 
Warwick  towards  C.  W.  Hastings's  pond,  on  lands  of 
Widow  Rhoda  Wheelock,  are  obtained  noble  speci- 
mens, which  are  quite  extensively  known  and  ap- 
preciated by  many  professors  both  in  our  country 
and  in  Europe ;  and  Prof  Tenney  has  a  splendid 
impression  of  a  specimen  of  this  mineral,  to  be  found 
in  his  valuable  work  on  mineralogy.  We  will  also 
continue  the  account  of  the  natural  curiosities  in 
town  by  a  brief  statement  of  an  Indian  kettle  that 
will  hold  from  eight  to  ten  pails  of  water,  to  be 
found  on  the  south  side  of  a  ledge  of  rocks  on  the 
west  side  of  the  road,  about  a  hundred  rods  north- 
west of  Chandler  W.  Bass's  saw-mill ;  and  of  a  bear's 
den,  so  called,  on  the  Nath.  G.  Stevens  farm,  not  far 
from  a  hundred  rods  north  of  the  Stevens's  mill- 
pond,  and  from  twenty  to  thirty  rods  east  of  the  line 
between  Northfield  and  Warwick  :  this  den  is  covered 
by  a  shelving  rock  of  a  size  sufficient  to  shelter  five 
hundred  men.  Also,  on  Mr.  D.  Stone's  Atwood 
farm,  on  the  west  side  of  the  old  road,  near  the  Win- 
chester line,  is  to  be  found  a  large  bowlder,  adjudged 


HISTORY    OF    WARWICK.  149 

to  weigh  a  hundred  tons,  which  is  so  nearly  bal- 
anced that  it  can  be  rocked  with  one  hand.  These 
things  are  richly  worth  the  time  and  trouble  of  a 
journey  of  some  distance  to  any  lover  of  natural 
curiosities. 

AGRICULTURE. 

For  the  last  twenty  years  the  farming  interests  of 
the  town  have  somewhat  improved :  the  inhabitants 
have  become  convinced  that  science  and  system  are 
as  necessary  to  success  as  bone  and  muscle ;  and 
most  of  our  farmers  have  adopted  the  plan  of  culti- 
vating a  smaller  number  of  acres,  and  by  a  rotation 
of  crops,  and  a  higher  state  of  improvement,  obtain  a 
better  return  for  their  labor. 

Their  attention  is  more  devoted  to  the  raising  of 
fruit,  hay,  and  vegetables  than  formerly.  Some  have 
planted  new  orchards,  and  others  have  trimmed  and 
grafted  their  old  ones  ;  quite  a  quantity  of  the  best 
varieties  of  apples  are  now  grown,  so  that  in  ordinary 
years  they  have  enough  for  their  own  supply,  and  in 
fruitful  ones  an  overplus  to  carry  to  market.  The 
number  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine,  has  de- 
creased more  than  half;  but,  as  they  consist  of  better 
grades  and  larger  forms,  their  value  has  increased, 
while  their  numbers  have  been  continually  decreasing 

Their  dwellings  are  more  comfortable  and  elegant, 
their  fences  improved,  and  their  carriages  and  farm- 
ing-tools show  a  utility  never  before  dreamed  of, 
and  their  value  has  increased  over  a  hundred  per 
cent.     There  is  also  an  appearance  of  neatness  and 


I50  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

thrift  to  be  seen  about  their  homes  never  before 
known  since  the  memory  of  our  oldest  inhabitants  ; 
and  around  many  of  their  dwelUngs  are  now  planted 
ornamental  trees,  interspersed  with  flowers  and  other 
things  of  taste,  which,  in  some  instances,  make  the 
passers  remark  that  these  people  have  much  to  make 
them  comfortable  and  happy. 


CATTLE-SHOWS    AND   FAIRS. 

In  the  autumns  of  1859  ^"d  i860  the  people  of  this 
town  held  a  cattle-show  on  the  Common,  and  a  fair  in 
the  Unitarian  Church,  each  year,  which  were  attended 
by  a  large  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Warwick ; 
and    nearly  all  the  towns  within  twenty  miles  were 
represented  by  quite  a  respectable  number  of  their 
best   citizens :    and  many  brought  with    them  speci- 
mens   of    their    agricultural    products,    and    manu- 
factured   articles,  while    others    presented  their  best 
horses,  neat  cattle,  sheep,  and   swine ;    and  we   had 
natural  curiosities,  flowers,  paintings,  and   other  arti- 
cles of  the  fine  arts  ;    and,  in  fact,  about  every  thing 
that   is   ever   exhibited   on    similar   occasions.     We 
also,  at   our  first   gathering,  had   an   able  extempore 
address   from    R.    D.    Chase,    Esq.,    of    Orange,    on 
the  benefits  that  we  should  derive  from    a   continu- 
ation   of    these    meetings    in    after   years.     At   our 
meeting  together  on  the  second   occasion,  W.  Gris- 
wold,    Esq.,   of    Greenfield,   gave   us    an    interesting 
and  instructive  scientific    address,  interspersed  with 


HISTORY  OF   WARWICK.  151 

anecdotes  and  other  matter,  so  suitably  arranged  as 
to  give  general  satisfaction. 

We  felt  that  our  cattle-shows  and  fairs  had  be- 
come quite  a  success  ;  and  we  only  regret  that  we 
have  been  unable  to  continue  them  to  this  time,  as  we 
are  satisfied,  that,  had  we  done  so,  it  would  have  been 
for  the  advancement  of  the  knowledge  of  agricultural 
science,  and  suggested  improvements  in  practical 
farming   generally. 


MANUFACTURES. 

The  manufacturing  interests  of  our  town  are  com- 
paratively small,  for  the  reasons  that  have  already 
been  stated  ;  yet  with  the  perseverance  and  indus- 
try of  our  people  they  are  nevertheless  considerable. 
They  consist  mostly  of  lumber  of  various  kinds,  or  of 
such  articles  as  are  made  from"  lumber,  or  of  which 
wood  is  the  component  part. 

In  the  first  place,  we  would  mention  that  we  have 
fourteen  saw-mills  within  the  limits  of  the  town,  two 
of  temporary  steam-power  :  nine  of  them  have  circular 
saws  of  the  most  approved  structure  ;  and  they,  all 
combined,  cut  out  over  four  million  of  feet  of  lumber 
annually,  consisting  of  pine,  chestnut,  hemlock,  and 
hard  wood,  which  is  carried  to  the  d(3p3ts  in  the  adjoin- 
ing towns,  and  transported  by  steam-cars  on  the  rail- 
roads to  all  parts  of  New  England,  and  the  State  of 
New  York.  It  is  worth  at  the  d^pSts,  when  placed  on 
the  cars,  on  an  average,  over  fifteen  dollars  per  thousand. 
The  whole  process  of  cutting,  hauling,  manufacturing, 


152  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

and  carting  to  the  railroads,  employs  a  large  number 
of  men  in  the  winter  season,  and  some  during  the 
other  seasons  of  the  year.  We  also  have  nine  small- 
er mills,  that  cut  pail-staves,  chair-stuff,  shingles,  and 
broom-handles  in  considerable  quantities,  which  also 
find  a  market  abroad. 

The  stave-mills  the  past  year  cut  staves  and  head- 
ing for  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pails. 
And,  besides  the  above,  a  large  amount  of  wood  is  cut 
from  our  hills  and  valleys,  and  hauled  to  Winchester, 
Northfield,  and  Wendell,  to  be  used  by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  these  places,  or  sold  to  the  railroad  compa- 
nies for  their  use,  or  transportation  to  other  less 
wooded  regions. 

We  have  also  a  tannery  that  employs  eight  men 
manufacturing  upper  leather.  They  use  three  hun- 
dred cords  of  hemlock  bark  annually.  This  bark  is 
mostly  grown  in  town,  and  is  worth  from  eight  to  ten 
dollars  a  cord.  The  annual  product  of  this  tannery 
is  over  fifty  tons  of  leather,  —  worth,  when  ready  for 
market,  over  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

In  the  village  is  a  boot  manufactory,  which  has 
been  in  operation  eighteen  years.  The  business  was 
established  by  Nahum  Jones  (then  a  resident  of  Bos- 
ton, now  of  Warwick).  It  was  commenced  on  a 
small  scale,  and  has  gradually  increased  from  about 
fifteen  thousand  dollars  to  fifty  thousand  dollars  per 
annum,  and  gives  employment  to  forty  men  in  the 
various  departments  of  the  business.  The  number 
of  pairs  of  men's,  boys',  and  youths'  boots  made  here 
in  1 87 1  was  twenty  thousand.  These  boots  are 
adapted  to  the  New-England  trade.     Nearly  all  the 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  153 

men  employed  are  residents  of  the  town,  and  owners 
of  real  estate. 

In  the  south  part  of  the  town  is  quite  a  large 
shop  for  the  manufacture  of  brush-woods  formerly 
owned  by  James  S.  Wheeler  (deceased),  but  now  by 
his  son.  They  make  and  send  to  market  over 
twenty-five  hundred  gross  of  brush-woods  annually. 
These  woods  are  made  of  hard  wood,  and  employ 
from  six  to  eight  men  ;  and  the  annual  product  is  from 
four  thousand  dollars  to  six  thousand  dollars,  as  the 
season  proves  to  be  wet  or  dry,  the  power  used 
being  water.  And  there  are  several  small  shops  that 
manufacture  quite  a  large  amount  of  chair-stuff  of 
various  kinds. 


THE   WARWICK   LIGHT    INFANTRY. 

In  the  year  1852  the  citizens  of  Warwick,  to  the 
number  of  fifty  or  over,  united  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  themselves  into  a  military  company,  and 
petitioned  the  authorities  of  the  State  for  powers 
and  privileges  given  by  them  to  other  similar  organi- 
zations. 

Their  request  was  heard,  and  soon  answered  ;  and 
a  charter  was  granted  for  five  years  under  the  name 
of  the  Warwick  Light  Infantry,  allowing  them  such 
recompense  for  their  services  as  other  infantry-compa- 
nies received,  on  condition  that  they  well  and  truly 
performed  all  the  duties  required  of  them  by  the 
statutes  of  the  Commonwealth. 

Said  company  assembled,  and  elected  James  Stock- 


154  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

well  captain,  Edward  F.  Mayo  and  Henry  G.  Mal- 
lard lieutenants,  with  all  other  officers  that  were 
necessary  to  make  them  an  efficient  company  of  vol- 
unteer militia. 

This  company  was  armed  and  equipped  in  a  becom- 
ing and  tasteful  manner,  and  performed  all  the  mili- 
tary duties  that  the  law  required  for  the  full  term  of 
their  charter  with  a  faithful  and  soldier-like  precision, 
first  under  Capt.  Stockwell,  afterwards  under  Capts. 
Mayo  and  Mallard,  so  as  to  receive  the  approbation 
of  their  superior  officers^  and  the  esteem  of  their 
fellow-citizens.  And  several  times  have  I  heard  it 
remarked  by  the  spectators  who  witnessed  their  sol- 
dierly appearance,  and  the  accuracy  of  their  evolu- 
tions, "  that  such  a  company  was  an  honor  to  any 
town." 

THE   CORNET   BAND. 

For  twenty  years  our  town  has  been  cheered 
and  made  happier  by  the  hannony  of  sweet  soiindsy 
called  forth  by  an  organized  body  of .  our  citizens 
called  the  Warwick  Cornet  Band.  Said  organi- 
zation commenced  its  operations  under  Charles  F. 
Hastings  as  leader,  which  in  a  few  years  was  trans- 
ferred to  James  E.  Fuller,  and  for  a  few  months  to 
Edward  F.  Mayo,  who  with  their  great  love  of  music, 
and  their  usual  promptitude  of  action,  soon  drew 
around  them  a  dozen  or  more  of  our  young  men  of 
musical  talent,  who,  mostly  under  their  instruction 
(with  occasionally  a  teacher  from  abroad),  developed 
so  much  skill  in  the  science  of  music,  that  for  several 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  155 

years  they  were  considered  an  important  element  in 
all  our  public  gatherings,  and  a  great  source  of  pleas- 
ure to  the  citizens  of  Warwick  as  they  met  from 
week  to  week  for  practice,  either  on  the  town  com- 
mon or  in  the  band-room,  and  united  their  efforts  to 
become  masters  of  the  szveetest,  the  highest,  the  most 
soul-cheering  power  ever  given  to  man. 

They  were  often  invited  to  the  neighboring  towns 
to  assist  at  their  fairs,  picnics,  and  other  places  of 
amusement  and  pleasure ;  where  they  were  efficient 
in  calling  forth  such  harmonious  strains  of  excellent 
music,  that,  after  their  return  to  their  homes,  they  were 
followed  with  gratitude  from  those  whose  happiness 
was  enhanced  ;  and  we  were  congratulated  for  our 
accomplished  band  of  excellent  musicians. 

For  several  years  past,  the  band  has  been  con- 
tinued under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Samuel  Hastings, 
who  has  and  does  still  give  much  time  and  zeal  to 
the  work,  as  the  members  have  been  continually 
changing,  so  that  at  the  present  time  but  a  very  few 
remain  that  belonged  to  the  company  when  he  was 
first  chosen  to  be  its  leader  and  teacher ;  and  we 
are  happy  to  record  that  all  the  expressions  of  grati- 
tude and  praise  given  by  any  one  to  its  first  leader 
and  his  comrades  can,  with  equal  sincerity,  be  given 
to  him  and  those  with  whom  he  is  associated.  In 
fact,  the  band  has  become  so  much  of  a  fixture, 
that  if  we  should  be  deprived  of  its  services,  even  for 
a  short  time,  our  gatherings  of  all  kinds  would  be 
exceedingly  tame,  if  we  were  obliged  to  meet  without 
seeing  their  smiling  faces,  or  hearing  their  sweet, 
melodious  sounds  ;  and  we  would  here  add,  for  our- 


156  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

selves,  and  the  citizens  of  our  town,  to  the  "  War- 
wick Cornet  Band,"  as  it  now  is,  and  as  it  has  been,  an 
expression  of  thanks,  to  be  handed  to  coming  genera- 
tions with  this  work,  that  their  children  and  ours 
may  know  that  their  labors  of  love  are  appreciated  by 
us,  and  those  that  immediately  preceded  us. 

We  hope  that  the  present  members  will  persevere 
in  their  noble  work,  and  that  those  that  come  after  them 
and  have  like  talents  will  be  moved  by  their  example 
and  perseverance  to  come  forward  and  do  likewise. 
And  we  feel  assured  that  their  contemporaries  will 
shower  blessings  of  gratitude  upon  their  heads. 


SCHOOLS. 

Our  schools  have  been,  for  some  years,  considered 
by  our  neighbors  as  good  as  any  to  be  found  in  this 
vicinity.  Although  we  have  never  had  a  sufficient 
number  of  inhabitants  to  oblige  the  town  to  main- 
tain a  high-school,  yet  the  desire  that  our  children 
and  youth  should  receive  a  good  practical  education 
has  been  so  great,  that,  for  a  series  of  years,  we  have 
succeeded  in  sustaining  one  of  a  private  nature,  or, 
in  other  words,  a  select  school,  where  the  higher 
branches  could  be  learned ;  and,  at  other  times,  many 
of  our  young  men  and  women  have  gone  one  or  two 
terms  each  year  to  schools  and  academies  in  the 
adjoining  towns  ;  so  that,  for  the  last  forty  years,  we 
have  not  only  been  able  to  supply  our  own  schools 
with  competent  teachers,  but  have  also  supplied  seve- 
ral to  the  neighboring  towns.     And,  in  the  year  1840, 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


157 


during  the  winter  term,  twelve  young  gentlemen  and 
several  young  ladies,  natives  of  Warwick,  taught 
school  in  this  and  the  adjoining  towns.  For  the  past 
few  years,  the  number  of  scholars  attending  school 
has  been  reduced  more  than  fifty  per  cent,  and  some 
of  our  schools  are  very  small :  yet  the  interest 
taken  in  them  has  in  no  way  declined,  nor  our 
schools,  as  a  whole,  deteriorated,  as  the  town-grant 
of  ;^  1,200  for  that  purpose  amply  proves;  and  we 
fee]  assured,  by  what  we  see  and  hear,  that  our  people, 
as  a  class,  are  determined  that  their  children  shall 
enjoy  for  time  to  come  still  greater  facilities  of  ob- 
taining a  good,  practical,  common-school  education 
than  were  given  to  those  of  former  years,  being  con- 
vinced that  our  common  schools  are  the  only  sure 
foundation  of  a  free  government. 


HISTORY   OF   ITS   CHURCHES   CONTINUED. 

THE    FIRST   CONGREGATIONAL    (nOW    UNITARIAN) 
CHURCH. 

As  has  already  been  recorded  by  the  Hon.  Jona. 
Blake,  the  Rev.  Preserved  Smith  was  ordained  Oct. 
12,  1 8 14,  and  continued  as  pastor  of  this  church  and 
society  for  thirty  years  ;  and,  for  this  series  of  years, 
he  not  only  performed  all  his  church  and  parochial 
duties,  as  a  faithful  minister, -a  devoted.  Christian,  and 
an  exemplary  man,  but  he  was  also  first  and  foremost 
in  all  things  that  would  in  any  way  advance  the  true 
interests  of  his  people,  or  would  further,  and  be 
instrumental  in,  the  happiness  and  progress  of  all  the 


158  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

inhabitants  of  the  town.  Especially  have  his  influence 
and  example  been  witnessed  in  the  advancement  and 
j^rosperity  of  our  common  schools ;  and  we  feel  that 
we  are  justified  in  recording,  that,  to  him  more  than 
any  other  man,  are  we  indebted  for  the  high  standard 
to -which  they  attained  during  his  long  residence 
among  us  as  our  teacher  and  guide.  He  asked  of  us 
and  obtained  his  dismission  in  1844,  and  preached  his 
farewell  sermon  Oct.  12  of  the  same  year.  After  the 
lapse  of  twenty  years,  he  came,  by  request  of  his  still 
grateful  people,  Oct.  12,  1864,  arid  delivered  his  half- 
century  discourse  to  a  large,  attentive,  and  interested 
audience. 
The  order  of  exercises  was  as  follows  :  — 
4.  Voluntary  by  the  choir,  E.  F.  Mayo,  leader! 

2.  Reading  of  Scriptures  by  Rev.  John  Goldsbury 
of  Warwick. 

3.  Hymn  of  Welcome.  Original.  By  Miss  M.  A. 
Reed  of  Warwick  (now  wife  of  Rev.  H.  P.  Os- 
good).* 

4.  Prayer  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Moors  of  Greenfield. 

5.  Hymn  from  "  Greenwood's  Collection,"  read  by 
Rev.  S.  Barber. 

6.  Sermon.  Text  from  Acts  xxvi.  22,  "  Having 
obtained  help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day." 

7.  Prayer  by  Rev.  Alpheus  Harding  of  New  Salem. 

8.  Farewell  Hymn.  Original.  By  Miss  M.  A. 
Reed. 

9.  Benediction  by  Rev.  I.  S.  Lincoln,  resident  pastor. 
After  the  services  in  the  church,  there  was  a  col- 

*  See  Appendix,  p.  205, 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  1 59 

latioii  in  the  vestry,  at  which  there  were  remarks  by 
both  clergymen  and  laymen,  closing  with  dismission- 
hymn.  The  church  was  very  tastefully  decorated 
with  flowers  and  emblems  appropriate  to  the  occa- 
sion, Mr.  Smith  is  now  (March  16,  1872)  residing  in 
Greenfield,  enjoying  a  comfortable  measure  of  health. 
We  will  here  quote  an  extract  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Smith,  where  he  speaks  of  the  generation  that  were 
leaders  in  the  church,  and  worthy  citizens  of  the 
town  at  the  time  of  his  settlement. 

"There  was  the  sainted  Barnes,  whose  walk  was 
with  God ;  J.  Blake,  sen.,  was  truly,  in  dress  and 
manners,  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school ;  Dea.  Caleb 
Mayo,  noted  for  his  straightforward  uprightness  and 
integrity ;  Capt.  Peter  Proctor,  the  unflinching  pa- 
triot ;  Capt.  Mark  Moore,  the  substantial  friend  of 
good  order  ;  and  women  not  a  few,  who  were  mothers 
in  Israel,  full  of  good  works,  and  ministrations  of 
mercy  and  kindness."  Also,  "In  183 1,  Warwick 
was  visited  by  a  dysentery  of  a  very  malignant  type, 
which  swept  off",  in  about  seven  weeks,  sixteen  per- 
sons, old  and  young.  In  the  families  of  John  Whit- 
ney, jun.,  and  John  Bowman,  four  died  out  of  each 
within  a  few  days.  Mr.  Bowman's  sister  and  child 
were  buried  at  one  time :  at  another,  a  week  after, 
he  himself  and  another  child  were  buried  at  the  same 
time." 

Rev,  D.  H.  Barlow  supplied  the  desk  in  1845,  1846, 
and  1847,  ^  part  of  the  time,  but  resided  in  town  only  a 
part  of  the  time.  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Clark  in  1848,  one 
half  of  the  time,  and  in  Athol  the  other  part,  where 
he  was  settled  the  following  year.     Rev.  George  F. 


l6o  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

Clark  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  church  April  14, 
1848.  Rev.  F.  T.  Gray  of  Boston  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  Rev.  O.  C.  Everett  of  Northfield  made  the 
installing  prayer ;  Rev.  S.  F.  Clark  of  Athol  gave  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship.  He  was  dismissed  April  i, 
1852.  After  his  dismission,  Rev.  Luther  Wilson  of 
Petersham  supplied  till  April  i,  1854.  Rev.  Abra- 
ham Jackson  of  Walpole,  N.H.,  supplied  from  April  i, 
1854,  to  April  I,  1855.  The  Rev.  John  Goldsbury 
commenced  to  supply  in  1856,  and  continued  to 
April  I,  1859.  The  Rev.  Increase  S.  Lincoln  com- 
menced his  ministry  in  September,  i860,  and  closed 
his  labors  for  this  church  in  June,  1867.  The  Rev. 
J.  B.  Willard  of  Harvard  supplied  through  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn  of  1867.  From  that  time  to  Sept. 
20,  1868,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  different  clergy- 
men. The  Rev.  William  A.  R  Willard  commenced 
his  labors  Sept.  20,  1868,  and  was  ordained  as  pastor 
of  this  church  and  society  Jan.  20,  1869.  The  ser- 
vices on  that  occasion  were  as  follows  :  Invocation 
by  Rev.  M.  Baker  of  Orange.  Reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures by  Rev.  J.  Goldsbury  of  Warwick.  Sermon  by 
Rev.  J.  F.  Moors  of  Greenfield.  Ordaining  prayer  by 
Rev.  J.  B.  Willard  of  Harvard.  Charge  by  Rev.  S. 
Barber  of  Bernardston.  Right  hand  of  fellowship  by 
Rev.  I.  S.  Lincoln  of  Winchester,  N.H.  Address  to 
the  people  by  Rev.  Mr.  Baker  of  Orange.  Benedic- 
tion by  the  pastor-elect.  The  singing,  under  the 
direction  of  Capt.  E.  F.  Mayo,  was  in  fine  taste  ;  and 
its  departing  strains  will  linger  upon  the  ear  a  long 
time.  The  church  was  wreathed,  arched,  and  gar- 
landed with  evergreens,  in  a  style  that  did  credit  to 
the  managers. 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  i6i 

April  I,  1870,  Mr.  Willard  tendered  his  resignation 
to  the  church,  to  take  effect  Oct.  i,  1870.  Resigna- 
tion accepted  by  the  church,  and  by  the  society  soon 
after.  Since  that  time  the  church  has  been  desti- 
tute of  a  pastor,  but  has  been  suppUed  by  the  Rev. 
John  Goldsbury  of  Warwick  for  the  former,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bailey  of  Athol  for  the  latter  part  of  the 
time.  Unitarian  preachers  originating  from  War- 
wick :  Rev.  John  Goldsbury,  Rev.  Nathan  Ball,  Rev. 
Amory  Gale,  Rev.  Stillman  Barber,  Rev.  Amory  D. 
Mayo,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  H.  Barber. 

Their  church  edifice  (as  has  been  said)  was  erected 
in  1836,  and  was  first  painted  and  repaired  in  1846 
by  Joshua  T.  Sanger,  under  the  superintendence  of 
Ira  Draper,  Caleb  M.  Proctor,  and  James  Stockwell, 
a  committee  chosen  for  the  purpose,  who  assessed 
^150  upon  the  pews  to  defray  the  expenses  of  said 
repairs.  Mr.  Sanger  was  faithful  to  his  trust ;  and  his 
work  was  performed  in  a  substantial  and  acceptable 
manner. 

In  1859,  after  the  church  had  been  considerably 
damaged  by  a  stroke  of  lightning,  a  committee  was 
elected,  consisting  of  Ira  Draper,  Hervey  Barber, 
and  N.  E.  Stevens,  to  superintend  the  repairs  upon 
the  same,  who  were  instructed  to  assess  a  sufficient 
sum  upon  the  pews  in  said  church  to  defray  the 
expenses  thereof,  not  exceeding  $300.  Said  commit- 
tee contracted  with  Mr.  John  Turner  of  Orange,  for 
the  sum  of  $258,  to  perform  the  above  services,  and 
assessed  $26()  upon  the  pews  to  pay  the  same,  and 
other  contingent  expenses  thereof 

Again,  in  1870,  the  parish  voted  to  raise  ^500  for 


1 62  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

the  purpose  of  new  shingling,  painting,  and  repairing 
their  church  ;  and  a  committee  was  elected,  consisting 
of  Samuel  W.  Spooner,  Hervey  Barber,  and  Edward 
F.  Mayo,  who  were  instructed  to  assess  so  much  of  the 
above  sum  as  would  be  sufficient  to  pay  the  repairs 
of  all  kinds  upon  the  outside  of  the  building ;  while 
the  papering,  and  other  ornamenting  of  the  inside, 
was  to  be  raised  by  subscription,  or  in  some  other 
way  that  might  be  devised.  Said  committee  assessed 
^434.52  upon  the  pews,  and  employed  the  Messrs. 
Graves  Brothers  of  Amherst  (by  the  day)  to  paint 
and  ornament,  and  William  K.  Taylor  to  shingle  and 
repair,  said  church. 

Said  committee  by  their  treasurer  (Hervey  Barber) 
collected  the  above  ^434.52,  and  received   of  E.  F. 
Mayo  $284.02,  a  balance  of  the  proceeds  of  two  prior 
fairs,  or  levees,  raised  by  the  ladies  of  the  society  for 
the  purpose  of  doing  the  ornamental  work  on  the  in- 
side of  their  church;    and   nearly  $100   by  donation 
from  William  B.  Spooner  of  Boston,  Rev.  Mr.  White 
of  Keene,  N.H.,  the  Unitarian  society  at  Springfield, 
Mrs.  Merrifield,  and  others  ;  and  $60  as  the  proceeds 
^f  lectures   given    by  Rev.  A.  D.  Mayo,  Rev.  J.  F. 
Moors,  and   Rev.  H.  H.  Barber,  —  the  balance  from 
other  sources  making  a  sum-total  of  ;^  1,067.83  as  the 
expense  of  said  repairs,  which  is  now  (March,  1872) 
all  settled  and  paid  :    so  that  they  not  only  have  a 
well-proportioned  church,  but  one  that  is  completely 
and  elegantly  finished  ;  and  they  now  have  as  neat, 
tastefully-arranged,  and  beautiful  a  church  as  can  be 
seen  in  any  of  the  adjoining  towns. 

April  I,  1864,  Mrs.  M  ^  O  (Blake)  Clap  of  Dorchester, 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK.  163 

Mass.,  upon  the  eightieth  anniversary  of  her  birth 
presented  to  the  First  Church  and  Society  in  War- 
wick (her  native  town)  ^1,000;  which  was  gratefully 
received  by  said  Church  and  Society. 

April  I,  1868,  Mrs.  Clap,  on  her  eighty-fourth  birth- 
day, made  to  said  Church  and  Society  another  dona- 
tion of  ^1,000 ;  which  was  received  in  the  same  spirit 
as  the  former. 

July,  1868,  Miss  Mary  Ann  Hastings  of  Framing- 
ham,  Mass.,  bequeathed  to  the  First  Society  .in  War- 
wick the  sum  of  $i,00D,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be 
for  their  use  forever. 

For  this  bequest  a  vote  of  thanks  is  entered  on  the 
Society's  records. 

THE    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    (oRTHODOX). 

Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch,  the  second  pastor  of  the 
Second  Congregational  Church  in  Warwick,  after  his 
dismission  in  1853,  resided  in  Warwick  until  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  took  place  Sept.  12,  1868,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  During  his  residence 
here  he  was  beloved  and  esteemed  as  a  good  citizen, 
a  faithful  pastor,  an  exemplary  Christian,  a  true  man, 
and  devoted  friend. 

Since  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Hatch,  the  church  has 
been  supplied  by  the  Rev.  Daniel  C.  Frost,  Mr.  Charles 
E.  Bruce  a  licentiate  from  Northfield  Academy,  and 
others,  until  1855,  when  Rev.  Henry  M.  Bridge,  for- 
merly of  the  Methodist  Church,  wa"s  installed  as  its 
pastor.     He  was  dismissed  Dec.  20,  1859. 

Rev.    E.    H.    Blanchard    was     ordained    over    this 


1 64  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

church  April  25,  i860,  and  was  dismissed  May  11, 
1868.  Rev.  Mr.  Bissell  supplied  from  June,  1868,  for 
nearly  a  year.  Rev.  Edward  Barnard  Bassett  was 
invited  to  preach  Sept.  2,  1869;  and  he  was  installed 
as  pastor  Dec.  15,  1869,  and  is  the  present  pastor  of 
this  church  (1872). 

We  will  here  record  an  extract  from  "  The  Congre- 
gationalist  and  Boston  Recorder"  of  Dec.  30,  1869:  — 

"  The  sermon  at  the  installation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bas- 
sett over  the  church  in  Warwick  was  preached  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Barstow  of  Keene,  N.H.  Installing  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  H.  B.  Hooker,  D.D.  Charge  to  the  pas- 
tor by  the  Rev.  T.  Cutler.  Fellowship  of  the 
churches  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Fo'ster.  Address  to  the 
people  by  Rev.  E.  Newton.  Among  the  members  of 
this  little  church,  which  is  in  the  hill-country  of 
Judaea,  is  a  venerable  mother  in  Israel,  now  in  her 
ninety-second  year.  During  thirteen  years  of  her 
life,  she  read  the  Bible  through  every  two  months  ; 
and  has  read  it  through  more  than  one  hundred  times 
in  all.  Now,  near  the  shore  of  the  better  land,  she 
realizes  the  value  of  the  promise,  '  And  even  to  your 
old  age  I  am  He,  and  even  to  hoar  hairs  will  I  carry 
you.*  And  now  we  will  introduce  an  incident  of  her 
early  life,  showing  to  the  people  of  these  railroad 
times  how  the  people  of  Warwick  travelled  seventy 
years  ago.  This  lady,  Sarah  Blake  Leonard,  then  the 
wiie  of  Francis  Leonard,  2d,  went  to  the  residence  of 
her  father,  Jonathan  Blake,  sen.,  in  the  following  man- 
ner, —  Mr.  Leonard,  his  wife,  and  three  children  rid- 
ing on  one  horse,  and  carrying  from  thirty  to  forty 
pounds  of  old  iron  in  a  bag ;    Mr.  Leonard  carrying 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  165 

a  child  on  each  arm,  and  his  wife  behind  him  carrying 
the  baby  in  her  lap,  the  iron  swung  across  the  saddle 
in  the  same  way  that  the  people  of  that  day  carried 
their  grain  to  mill." 

Congregational  preachers  originating  from  War- 
wick :  Rev.  John  Fiske,  D.D.,  Rev.  Moses  Fiske,  Rev. 
Swan  L.  Pomroy,  D.D.,  Rev.  Nahum  Gould,  Rev. 
Junius  L.  Hatch,  Rev.  John  Leonard,  Rev.  Francis 
Leonard,  Rev.  Levi  Wheaton,  Rev.  George  W.  Bar- 
ber. This  society  and  church  united  in  1871,  and 
painted  and  repaired  their  church  edifice.  They 
employed  the  Messrs.  Graves  to  do  the  ornamental 
work ;  and  they  now  have  one  of  the  neatest,  the 
handsomest,  and  best-arranged  churches,  which  is  as 
ornamental  and  as  well  designed  as  any  in  this  vicin- 
ity. 

THE    BAPTIST    CHURCH    IN    WARWICK. 

Exactly  how  early  Baptists  existed  in  this  town  we 
are  not  informed,  but  suppose  that  there  were  some 
as  far  back  as  1797,  when  the  church  in  Royalston 
was  organized. 

In  the  history  of  the  West-Royalston  church,  writ- 
ten in  1854,  we  find  the  following:  "In  May,  1798, 
twenty-two  members  of  this  church  signified  their 
intention  to  form  themselves  into  a  church  in  War- 
wick ;  and  they  were  dismissed  agreeably  to  their 
request.  At  their  first  church-meeting.  Elder  Levi 
Hodge  was  chosen  moderator." 

As  this  church  had  come  into  being  as  the  result 
of  a  difficulty.  Elder  Hodge  acted  the  part  of  a  peace 
maker:  so  much  so,  that,  in  1801,  the  church  in  Roy- 


1 66  HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 

alston  requested  him  to  become  their  pastor ;  and 
Elder  Hodge  accepted  of  their  invitation.  In  i8o> 
the  two  churches  were  united  ;  and  Mr.  Hodge  con- 
tinued as  its  faithful  pastor  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1819,  he  all  the  time  residing  in  Warwick. 
Elder  J.  M.  Graves  was  the  successor  of  Elder  Hodge. 
In  1 8 17,  Elder  John  Shepardson  purchased  a  farm  in 
the  south  part  of  this  town,  and  settled  upon  it. 
Here  he  lived  until  the  day  of  his  death,  some  time 
in  1833,  and  preached  in  the  schoolhouse  in  the  south 
part  of  Warwick,  and  in  South  Orange,  and  Erving's 
Grant,  nearly  every  sabbath,  working  faithfully  in  the 
service  of  his  Master  to  a  good  old  age,  when  he 
was  called  to  a  better  world  on  high,  there  to  receive 
his  reward.. 

On  the  20th  of  January,  1843,  fourteen  persons, 
members  of  the  Baptist  church  of  Royalston  and 
Warwick,  petitioned  to  be  set  off  as  a  branch  of  that 
church  to  meet  in  Warwick  Centre.  On  the  14th  of 
February  following,  the  church  voted  to  grant  their 
request.  The  branch  church  chose  Asa  H.  Conant 
clerk,  and  adjourned  until  April  i.  At  the  ad- 
journed meeting.  Rev.  E.  M.  Burnham  was  chosen  pas- 
tor, and  nine  persons  were  added  by  letter  from  the 
South-Orange  church,  all  of  them  inhabitants  of 
Warwick. 

An  ecclesiastical  'council  was  convened  Aug.  20, 
and  organized  by  the  choice  of  Rev.  Asaph  Meriam 
moderator,  and  Rev.  Erastus  Andrews  clerk.  The 
council  voted  to  recognize  them  as  an  independent 
church.  Mr.  Burnham  continued  to  labor  as  their 
pastor   until    Nov.  2,   1844,  when  he  asked  and  ob- 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  l6f 

tained  his  dismission.  Rev.  L.  Fay  was  then  chosen 
pastor,  and  continued  about  two  years.  For  the  two 
following  years,  Rev.  S.  S.  Kingsley  was  pastor.  In 
1849,  Elder  Fay  again  supplied  the  desk  for  about  one 
year.  Rev.  Caleb  Sawyer  and  others  supplied  the 
desk  for  nearly  three  years.  ^ 

In  1854,  Rev.  E.  M.  Barnham  labored  with  them 
for  one-half  of  the  time.  The  desk  was  supplied  for 
the  most  part  of  1856-1857  by  Rev.  Jonas  G.  Ben- 
nett. The  report  to  the  Association  for  1858  was, 
''On  the  1st  of  December  last  we  parted  with  our 
late  pastor.  Rev.  J.  G.  Bennett.  The  spring  follow- 
ing (March),  Rev.  E.  J.  Emory  came  and  filled  the 
desk  until  April,  186 1,  when  he  received  a  call,  and 
left  for  another  part  of  his  Master's  vineyard." 

In  May,  1861,  Rev.  G.  B.  Bills,  became  the  pastor 
ancl  remained  for  a  little  over  a  year.  After  he  left, 
the  church  was  without  a  pastor  until  autumn,  when 
the  Rev.  Lyman  Culver  assumed  the  charge,  and 
preached  until  the  winter  of  1863-64,  when  the  desk 
was  again  supplied  by  the  Rev.  Erastus  Andrews. 
From  1864  to  1868  the  Rev.  L.  F.  Shepardson  was 
the  pastor  of  this  church.  The  Rev.  L.  Fay  and 
others  supplied  the  desk  until  June,  1869,  after  which 
the  Rev.  E.  D.  Daniels  became  pastor  for  one  year ; 
then  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Woodbury  supplied  until  the 
spring  of  1 871,  when  the  Rev.  C.  Farrar  became  pas- 
tor, and  continues  to  the  present  time.  This  church 
has  received  a  donation  of  a  thousand  dollars  the  pres- 
ent year,  from  their  deceased  brother,  Daniel  Pierce, 
who  gave  to  his  brethren  in  trust  for  the  fttrtherance  oi 
the  gospel  of  Christ. 


l68  HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 

The  following  Baptist  ministers  originated  from 
Warwick :  Rev.  Ebenezer  Barber,  Rev.  Henry  Hol- 
man,  Rev.  Jona.  Blake. 

UNIVERSALISTS. 

The  Universalis t  society  in  Warwick  was  incorpo-, 
rated  Feb.  25,  18 14,  and  has  been  supplied  by  Rev. 
Robert  Bartlett,  John  Brooks,  Stillman  Clark,  T.  Bar- 
row, E.  Davis,  and  John  H.  Willis  in  1851  and  1852, 
since  which  time  they  have  had  no  regular  preaching. 
They  have  no  meeting-house. 

The  following  Universalist  ministers  originated  from 
Warwick :  Rev.  Caleb  Rich,  Robert  Bartlett,  Eben- 
ezer Williams,  and  John  Williams. 

EPISCOPALIANS.  ,      " 

The  Rev.  Levi  B.  Stimson,  an  Episcopalian  minis- 
ter, originated  from  Warwick. 

Summary  of  preachers  who  originated  from  War- 
wick :  Orthodox  Congregationalists,  9  ;  Unitarians,  6  ; 
Universalists,  4  ;  Baptists,  3  ;  Episcopalian,  i, — mak- 
ing 23  different  preachers  as  natives  of  this  town. 

SPIRITUALISM. 

During  the  winter  of  1850-51  quite  a  sensation 
was  raised  among  the  usually  quiet  people  of  our 
town  by  the  announcement  in  the  secular  papers, 
that,  in  several  places  in  this  vicinity,  what  were  at  that 
time  called  the  "  Rochester  knockings  "  were  heard. 
But  very  little  was  known  of  the  matter  by  the  people 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  169 

of  our  town  until  March  5,  185 1,  when  Mr.  F.  Che- 
ney and  wife  of  Athol  came  by  invitation,  and  gave 
a  pubHc  manifestation  of  the  rappings,  she  being  a 
medium  for  that  phase  of  the  phenomena.  Quite 
a  company  having  assembled,  and  being  somewhat 
startled  by  what  was  heard,  and  the  intelligence 
accompanying  the  sounds  purporting  to  be  communi- 
cations from  our  departed  friends  that  had  left  the 
mortal  for  the  immortal  shores,  some  of  those  present 
were  favorably  impressed  on  the  subject,  and  re- 
turned home  with  a  determination  of  giving  the  mat- 
ter a  further  investigation.  But  little  more  was  done 
until  September  following,  when  the  tippings  were  to 
be  seen  at  a  number  of  places  in  this  town,  also 
exhibiting  like  intelligence.  Early  in  October  these 
manifestations  became  quite  common  at  the  house  of 
Dea.  Hervey  Barber ;  and  many  were  the  visits  that 
he  and  his  family  received  from  his  townsmen,  and 
from  the  people  of  the  adjoining  ones,  who  came 
to  investigate  these,  at  that  time,  new  and  almost 
miraculous  movements.  Soon  after  took  place  the 
phases  of  writing  names  and  messages,  and  of  seeing 
the  forms  of  persons  gone  to  the  land  of  souls, 
who  influenced  one  member  of  the  family  to  speak 
and  give  information  from  the  spirit  world,  and  lec- 
tures on  the  reforms  of  the  day,  above  the  capacity  of 
the  individual  that  was  used  as  the  agent  for  the  con- 
trolling power.  These  manifestations  continued,  and 
others  were  added  to  the  list.  One  member  of  the 
family  became  clairvoyant,  and  another  clairaudient ; 
and  nearly  all  the  phases  of  mediumship  now  extant 
were  there  witnessed  by  large   numbers  :    but  they 


I70  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

varied  in  their  opinions  as  to  the  cause  of  the  power 
that  gave  the  intelligence  they  received.  After  con- 
siderable investigation,  this  family  and  several  others 
became  convinced  that  these  demonstrations  were 
what  they  claimed  to  be,  —  the  testimony  of  our  friends 
supposed  to  be  dead  ;  that  they  still  live,  or,  in  other 
words,  give  a  practical  elucidation  of  the  New-Testa- 
ment doctrine  of  immortality.  But  as  soon  as  it 
became  known  that  it  was  claimed  that  these,  or  the 
like  manifestations,  were  seen  and  heard  at  the 
time  that  Jesus  and  his  apostles  were  upon  the  earth, 
and  could  be  proved  from  the  sacred  Record,  its  be- 
lievers, like  those  of  old,  "were  everywhere  spoken 
against ; "  and  as  the  manifestations  have  continued 
with  this  family  and  several  others,  and  as  time  has  in- 
creased the  number  of  the  believers,  and  added  strength 
to  their  faith  in  its  divine  origin  and  mission,  and  as 
the  writer  of  this  article  is  the  only  person  in  this  town 
that  has  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach  this  new  gos- 
pel both  at  home  and  abroad,  he  and  his  associates 
desire  that  the  above  account  of  these  things  should 
be  transmitted  to  posterity  in  this  work,  for  their 
decision  as  to  the  utility  and  wisdom  of  their 
course. 

THE   GREAT   HAIL-STORM. 

On  the  25th  of  July,  1866,  a  destructive  storm  of 
hail  passed  from  north-west  to  south-east  through  the 
town,  and  extended  into  Orange. 

After  a  very  hot  and  sultry  morning,  some  clouds 
were  to  be  seen  (not  far^from  two  o'clock,  p.m.)  near  the 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  1-7 1 

western  horizon  :  soon  an  unusual  commotion  was  ob- 
served, both  to  the  south-west  and  north-west,  in  the 
clouds,  indicating  severe  storms  of  wind,  rain,  or  hail. 
Both  of  these  showers  were  attracted  to  a  point  near 
the  western  boundary  of  the  town,  called  Notch  Moun- 
tain. These  storm-clouds  met  near  the  soutl>  side 
of  said  mountain  ;  and  near  its  southern  base  hail 
descended  in  large  quantities,  and  the  earth  was  cov- 
ered to  the  depth  of  eight  inches  in  this  region.  The 
hailstones  were  as  large  as  walnuts,  on  an  average : 
some  of  them  were  of  the  size  of  butternuts  ;  and 
devastation  and  a  general  destruction  of  all  vegetable 
matter  was  the  consequence  of  the  powers  of  the 
united  storms.  Not  only  were  the  crops  of  grain  and 
fruit  literally  destroyed,  but,  for  some  distance  each 
way  on  the  south  side  of  this  mountain,  the  trees  of 
the  forest  were  so  badly  cut  to  pieces  that  nearly  all 
of  them  died.  Said  storm  passed  from  this  place  to 
the  east,  over  the  farms  of  Ezekiel  Ellis  ;  then  to  the 
south-east  over  those'  of  Hervey  Barber,  C.  W.  Eddy, 
Henry  M.  Harvey,  Albert  Witherell,  William  H.  Gale, 
and  Ethan  Gushing.  These  farms  are  located  near 
the  centre  of  its  course :  but  the  damage  to  the  crops 
extended  for  more  than  a  mile  in  width  on  each  side  ; 
and  all  the  crops,  except  grass,  were  entirely  ruined. 
Many  fowls  were  killed,  and  the  roofs  of  many  build- 
ings so  badly  damaged  as  to  oblige  the  owners  to 
cover  them  anew,  —  the  glass  on  one  side,  and  some 
of  them  on  two  sides,  was  broken  to  fragments  ;  and 
its  path  could  be  traced  easily  for  several  years  after- 
wards. 

It  will  be  understood,  that,  on  each  side  of  the  cen- 


172  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

tre  of  the  shower,  the  damage  to  the  crops  decreased 
as  the  distance  increased  ;  and,  from  its  place  of  be- 
ginning to  its  end,  the  hailstones  were  continually 
becoming  smaller,  its  fury  abating,  and  the  damage  to 
crops  less  severe. 

The  citizens  of  Warwick  that  resided  beneath  its 
length  and  breadth  were  damaged  to  the  amount  of  five 
thousand  dollars,  — ■.  perhaps  more,  as  no  true  appraisal 
can  be  made  ;  and  no  one  storm  of  any  kind,  since  the 
great  tornado  of  1 82 1 ,  has  been  the  cause  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  so  large  an  amount  of  property.  But  our  usually 
calm  atmosphere  and  quiet  earth  were  not  left  many 
days  in  peace  ;  for,  on  the  Saturday  following,  one  of 
the  heaviest  showers  of  rain  that  was  ever  known 
fell  on  and  about  Mount  Grace.  For  the  space  of 
over  a  mile,  the  rain  actually  poured  down  for  over  an 
hour  ;  and  the  mountain-rills  became  roaring  torrents, 
the  small  brooks  foaming  rivers.  Many  farms  were 
injured  to  a  large  amount ;  and  the  highways  that  lead 
from  the  village  towards  Northfield  and  Winchester 
were  in  several  places  apparently  ruined  :  so  that  the 
town  was  injured  to  a  large  amount  in  roads  and 
bridges.  Oct.  4,  1869,  there  was  a  general  rain-storm 
in  this  vicinity.  The  rain  fell  for  over  six  hours  in 
torrents  ;  and  the  destruction  of  property  was  greater 
than  in  1866,  as  the  storm  extended  over  the  whole 
town.  The  roads  were  damaged  to  a  large  amount. 
Many  bridges  were  swept  away :  so  that  the  public 
loss  was  considerable,  but  the  private  loss  still  great- 
er. Among  the  sufferers  were  Martin  Harris,  David 
Shepardson,   and   James   S.    Wheeler,   whose   losses 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK.  173 

were  great,  and  'many  others  considerable.  A  few 
days  after,  there  was  quite  a  heavy  shower  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town ;  and,  as  the  ponds  were 
already  full,  it  broke  A.  I.  Kidder's  reservoir-dam, 
swept  away  his  stave-mill,  took  down  his  saw-mill  and 
dam,  and  left  not  a  vestige  of  either  to  be  seen  upon 
the  spot  where  they  stood.  It  also  broke  several 
other  dams,  washing  away  bridges  that  came  in  the 
way  ;  causing  damage  to  over  four  thousand  dollars 
within  a  very  small  distance. 

April  25,  1872.  —  It  being  the  ninety-fifth  anniver- 
sarv  of  the  birth  of  Mr.  Phinehas  Child,  his  friends, 
to  the  number  of  thirty-six,  assembled  at  the  resi- 
dence of  his  children,  on  Flower  Hill  in  Warwick, 
and  enjoyed  a  social  season  in  a  quiet  way,  by  grasp- 
ing the  friendly  hand,  and  conversing  freely  on  the 
general  subjects  of  the  day,  in  which  he  still  takes  a 
lively  interest,  and  calmly  gives  his  opinion  as  in 
days  gone  by  ;  for  he  retains  his  faculties,  both  men- 
tal and  physical,  in  a  remarkable  degree  for  a  man 
so  far  advanced  in  years.  After  partaking  of  a 
bountiful  repast,  furnished  by  the  visitors,  and  listen- 
ing to  an  explanation  of  an  ornamental  cake  pre- 
sented by  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Farrar,  and  an 
historic  original  poem  written  for  the  occasion,  as  a 
greeting  of  welcome  for  him  to  his  friends,  and  ex- 
pressing his  thanks  for  their  friendly  call,  the  visitors 
departed  to  their  homes,  feeling  that  another  milestone 
had  been  placed  in  their  earthly  path  as  well  as  in  his, 
as  a  memento   of  love,  respect,  and  kind  regards    to 


174 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


him  for  his  long,  useful,  and  honest  life,  and  to 
themselves  for  their  appreciation  of  virtue  and  moral 
worth  in  the  character  of  one  who  has  with  several 
of  them  been  a  resident  of  our  town  for  nearly  sixty 
years. 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  APPENDIX 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


We  have  thought  it  advisable,  before  giving  the  perusal 
of  the  Appendix  to  the  History  of  Warwick,  to  present  to 
our  readers  a  brief  genealogy  of  our  deceased  friend  and 
fellow-citizen,  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Blake,  and  of  his  ances- 
tors from  the  earliest  setdement  of  New  England,  together 
with  an  account  of  his  labors,  and  the  responsible  offices 
that  he  held,  with  specimens  of  his  poems ;  believing  it 
due  to  his  descendants  for  what  he  did  for  our  town  dur- 
ing his  long  and  useful  life.  H.  B. 


[by    his    brother,    SAMUEL    BLAKE.] 

Hon,  Jonathan  Blake  was  a  descendant  in  the  seventh 
generation  from  William  and  Agnes  Blake  of  Dorchester, 
through  Elder  James,  Dea.  James,  James  "  the  annalist," 
Samuel,  Jonathan.  His  ancestry  is  traced  back  four  genera- 
tions in  England,  prior  to  his  emigrant  ancestor,  William, 
who  was  born  in  1594. 


176 


HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


Hon.  Jonathan  Blake,  "  the  Historian  of  Warwick,"  was 
born  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  May  29,  1780. 

He  was  son  of  Jonathan  and  Sarah  (Pierce)  Blake."* 

His  father  moved  to  Warwick  in  1781,  and  died  there 
Oct.  8,  1836,  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  His 
mother  died  Aug.  15,  1831. 

Jonathan  Blake  married  Patty  Conant  of  Warwick,  Jan. 
18,  1803.     They  had  six  children. 

She  died  in  Warwick,  Oct.  21,  18 19. 

He  married,  for  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Betsey  (Howland) 
Ballard  of  Gill,  Aug.  i,  1821. 

He  died  April  13,  1864,  at  Brattleboro',  Vt.,  aged  eighty- 
four  years. 

He  wrote  the  History  of  Warwick  from  its  first  settle- 
ment to  the  year  1854.  He  was  a  natural  poet.  He  wrote 
a  great  amount  of  poetry  on  various  subjects  and  on  all  occa- 
sions.    He  kept  a  voluminous  diary  for  nearly  sixty  years. 

He  was  in  public  business  the  most  of  his  mature  life. 
He  was  a  distinguished  surveyor  of  land,  the  practice  ot 
which  profession  has  been  peculiar  to  the  Blake  family  from 
the  first  settlement  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  He  was  a  friend 
to  all  public  improvements,  and  an  ardent  advocate  of  rail- 
roads in  their  early  days. 

He  resided  in  Warwick  seventy-three  (73)  years. 

Was  town  clerk  of  Warwick  fifteen  (15)  years ;  served  as 
selectman,  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  assessor  nine  (9) 
years ;  was  acting  justice  of  the  peace  forty-two  (42)  years  ; 
representative  to  the  General  Court  two  (2)  years  ;  senator 
of  Massachusetts  two  (2)  years;  county  commissioner  in 
Franklin  County  nine  (9)  years,  and  chairman  of  the 
board  three  (3)  years  ;  a  member  of  the  Unitarian  Church 
in  Warwick  over  fifty  years  ;  superintendent  of  the  sab- 
bath school   about  'twenty  years.  His   influence  was  always 

*  See  "  Blake  Family,"  page  56. 


APPENDIX. 


177 


for  good.  He  was  a  dutiful  son,  a  beloved  brother,  a  kind 
husband,  a  tender  father,  and  has  left  posterity  a  rich  patri- 
mony in  an  example  of  an  industrious,  useful,  and  Christian 
life. 


SPECIMENS    OF   THE   POETRY  OF    HON.    JONA. 
BLAKE. 

WARWICK. 

From  Warwick's  lofty  mountains 

And  everlasting  hills 
Flow  many  sparkling  fountains. 

And  precious,  cooling  rills. 

How  free  from  all  diseases 
That  mind  and  health  impair  ! 

How  pure  her  summer  breezes  ! 
How  soft  her  balmy  air  ! 

Now,  where  in  all  creation 

Can  such  a  place  be  found 
For  mental  elevation 

To  flourish  and  abound  ? 

Proud  Science  here  can  flourish, 

And  ever  will  prevail 
To  stimulate  and  nourish 

The  mind  that's  sound  and  hale. 

The  votary  of  Pleasure 

Would  here  be  sure  to  find 
A  more  enduring  treasure 

Than  California's  mine. 

And  Music's  silvery  tongues, 

In  harmony  divine, 
Shall  sing  her  glorious  songs, 

Enchantingly  sublime. 


J.  Blake. 


178    *  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

And  Wisdom's  choicest  treasures 

Shall  raise  her  sons  to  fame, 
And  bless  their  grand  endeavors 

With  an  everlasting  name. 

Brattleboro',  Jan.  4,  i860. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL   CELEBRATION. 

IN   QUESTIONS   AND   ANSWERS. 

Ques.     O  KIND  teachers  !  can  you  tell  us 
Where  the  path  to  glory  goes  ? 
Can  you  warn  us  of  our  dangers  ? 
Can  you  save  us  from  our  foes  ? 

Ans.     Yes,  dear  children,  we  can  tell  you 
Of  the  road  that  leads  to  bliss  : 
We  can  warn  you  of  its  dangers 
Through  a  world  of  sin  like  this. 

Ques.     O  kind  teachers  !  tell  the  story  : 
How  our  bosoms  pant  to  know 
What  will  ma1<e  us  good  and  happy 
While  we  live  on  earth  below  ! 

Ans.     Yes,  dear  children  :  His  the  Bible.,  — 

Blessed  book  !  —  that  tells  the  story,  — 
How  the  young  may  love  their  Maker, 
How  the  saints  prepare  for  glory. 

Ques.     O  kind  teachers  !  let  us  read  it, 

Let  us  treasure  up  its  meaning  : 
All  the  good  and  great  will  love  us  ; 
For  'twill  make  us  leave  off  sinning. 

A71S.     Blessed  children,  how  we  love  you  ! 
We  can  never  cease  to  praise 
Him  who  gave  us  all  his  bounty,  — 
Life  and  health,  and  peace  and  grace. 

J.  Blake. 

Warwick,  Oct.  2,  1841. 


APPENDIX.  T79 


DEDICATION    HYMN 

FOR   THE   NEW   UNITARIAN    CHURCH   IN    WARWICK. 

Omnipotent  and  omniscient  God, 

Accept  of  this  earthly  abode 
Our  hands  have  upreared  to  thy  name  : 

Let  thy  presence,  like  heavenly  light, 

Seraphic,  diffusive,  and  bright, 
Here  come,  and  forever  remain. 

Let  thy  Spirit  of  peace,  love,  and  joy. 

Without  any  earthly  alloy, 
Descend  like  the  dew  that  distils. 

Harmonious  and  heavenly  Guest, 

Fill  every  worshipper's  breast. 
And  soften  our  obdurate  wills. 
• 

Inscribed  on  thy  pages,  O  God  ! 

Are  words  that  thy  goodness  bestowed 
To  make  us  both  happy  and  wise. 

We  hallow  tliis  temple  to  thee,  — 

The  altar  to  which  we  would  flee 
To  offer  our  best  sacrifice. 

We  have  built  this  house  for  thy  praise  : 

Oh  !  make  it  a  portal  of  grace 
To  usher  us  onward  to  heaven  : 

Like  doves  to  their  windows  we'll  come. 

Or  prodigals  hastening  home 
To  join  in  an  endless  thanksgiving. 

J.  Blake. 

Warwick,  Oct.  4,  1836. 


l8o  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


DEDICATION    HYMN. 

READ    AT   THE   RE-DEDICATION    OF   THE   UNITARIAN    CHURCH, 
AFTER   ITS    REPAIRS. 

To  thee,  our  Maker  and  our  God, 

We  dedicate  this  house  of  prayer  : 
Here  may  we  listen  to  thy  word, 

And  here  thy  benediction  share  ! 
Here  may  thy  word  like  dew  distil 

Its  fragrance  in  this  holy  place, 
And  hearts  submissive  to  thy  will 

Its  holy  precepts  to  embrace  ! 

Here  may  the  strains  from  mortal  tongues 

Begin  the  everlasting  song,  — 
That  endless,  that  eternal  one, 

That,  rapt  in  glory,  saints  prolong  ! 
Here  may  the  Spirit  guide  in  prayer 

That  erst  descended  from  above, 
And  all  our  supplications  share 

The  blessing  of  redeeming  love  ! 

Here  may  our  aged  fathers  come 

When  on  the  tottering  brink  of  time, 
In  earnest  of  that  heavenly  home, 

That  better,  holier,  happier  clime  ! 
And  here  may  all  prepare  to  meet 

Their  summons  at  our  Saviour's  call, 
And,  welcomed  at  his  mercy-seat, 

The  great  I  Atn  /  the  All  in  All! 

J.  Blake. 

Brattlkobro',  July  3,  1859. 


APPENDIX.  t8i 

LINES    TO    BE    SUNG    AT    A    DONATION-PARTY    IN 
WARWICK,    MASS. 

To  Him  that  formed  the  starry  skies 

Let  all  the  praise  be  given,  — 
The  Great,  the  Good,  the  Only  Wise, 

Who  sent  his  Son  from  heaven. 

He  came,  a  messenger  of  peace, 

Glad  tidings  to  proclaim, 
Of  endless  joys  and  happiness,  — 

AH  in  his  Father's  name. 

He  told  us  where  our  duty  lies  ; 

How  love  to  God  is  shown  — 
Better  than  formal  sacrifice  — 

By  love  to  every  one. 

Our  harps  upon  the  willows  hung, 

Like  captive  Jews  of  old  ; 
God's  house  shut  up,  his  praise  unsung. 

No  one  to  pen  the  fold. 

In  kindness  and  in  love  appears 

A  friend  in  time  of  need, 
Whose  generous  heart  dispels  our  fears. 

And  sows  the  precious  seed. 

We  meet  this  day  to  consecrate. 

Each  one,  their  little  mije 
To  him  whose  labors  here  of  late 

Proclaim  what's  good  and  right. 

God  grant  him  peace  and  happiness. 

And  we'll  reward  his  care  ; 
And  may  his  work  of  righteousness 

Each  one  for  heaven  prepare  ! 

J.  Blake. 

Bratti.eboro',  Nov.  12,  1858. 


[82  HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 


LINES   OF  CONDOLENCE 

ADDRESSED    TO     MR.    AND     MRS.  ,  ON     THE    DEATH     OF    THEIl 

DAUGHTER. 

Parental  love  may  strive  to  save 
A  blooming  infant  from  the  grave, — 

The  object  of  their  love  ; 
But  purer  love  and  higher  claims 
The  God  who  made  it  still  maintains, 

And  summoned  it  above. 

Sweet  little  child,  it  dies,  it  dies  ! 
Its  breath  departs,  its  spirit  flies, 

And  leaves  its  clog  of  dust ; 
While  shining  seraphs  guide  it  home, 
Up  to  its  heavenly  Father's  throne, 

To  dwell  among  the  just. 

In  faith  convey  its  body  on. 
Commit  its  keeping  to  the  tomb  : 

It  cannot  there  remain. 
(A  grain  of  wheat  must  die  to  grow 
In  richest  soil  where  waters  flow) 

Your  child  shall  live  again. 

Though  sown  a  mortal,  sure  she'll  rise 
Immortal  l\eir  of  paradise, 

Of  purity  and  bliss  ; 
And,  clothed  in  garments  white  and  clean. 
Forever  praise  thee,  One  supreme. 
In  endless  happiness. 
^'  J.  Blake. 

Dorchester,  Oct.  25,  1851. 


APPENDIX 

TO  THE   HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


We  now  come  to  the  second  part  of  our  work,  which  we 
entitle  an  Appendix  to  the  History  of  Warwick,  wherein  we 
record  some  incidents  not  mentioned  in  Mr.  Blake's 
manuscript ;  and,  not  wishing  to  interfere  with  his  arrange- 
ments, we  place  them  in  this  part,  so  that  they  may  be  kept 
for  the  benefit  of  future  generations.  With  some  of  those 
that  he  has  recorded,  we  have  added  such  further  expla- 
nations as  we  thought  needful  to  make  them  well  understood, 
and  others  not  so  much  of  direct  history  as  those  in  the  first 
part  of  our  volume  ;  but  we  think  they  will  be  of  interest  to 
some  families,  as  their  ancestors  were  the  principal  actors 
in  the  events  here  recorded. 

We  will  here  insert  the  names  of  the  owners  of  the  fifty- 
acre  or  home  lots,  when  surveyed  in  1737  ;  also,  who  owned 
the  same  lots  when  the  first  plan  of  the  township  of  Gard- 
ner's Canada  (now  Warwick)  was  made  ;  who  owned,  or 
were  setded  on  said  lots  in  1761,  when  all  the  settlers' 
names  were  taken  at  the  new  meeting  house  in  said  town, 
by  order  of  the  proprietors  ;  and  also  who  reside  on  or 
own  these  lots  at  the  present  time,  1872,  as  near  as  we  can 


1 84 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


determine  by  the  proprietors'  plan,  containing  a  survey  of 
the  said  lots,  and  the  one  hundred  acre-lots  surveyed  in 
1738:  — 


No. 


Owners  in  1737. 


A  few  years  after. 


Samuel  Stevens        Samuel  Stevens 

Benj.  Smith  !  Benj.  Smith 

Gresham  Davis  |  G.  Davis 

Wm.  Dudley  ;  Wm.  Dudley 


1761 


Jos.  Weld 

Jos.  Gardner 

Eleazor     Ham- 
mond 
Josiah  Cheney 

Peter  Aspinwall 

John  Wilson 
Wm.  Sharp 
tbnr.  Smith 
Sam'i  Griffin 


14    Kbnr.  Case 

13  j  Sam' I  Newall 
I'j  ;  Kdward  White 


Kbnr.  Crafts 
Sam' I  Peacock 
John  Parker 
Joseph  Heath 
Sam'l  Wight 
Joseph  Weld 
Isaac  Stedman 
Samuel  Davis 
Samuel  Clark 
E.  Hammond 

John  Shepard 

Thos.  Hartshorn 

John  Gay 
Minister  lot 
Ministry  lot 
Kdward  Morris 
Kbnr.  Crafts 

Ebnr.  Maude 
James  Frizzell 
Joseph  Heath 

Thomas  Mayo 
Fohn  Seaver 
Israel  Hearsay 


I  Jos.  Weld 

I  Jos.  Heath 

E.  Hammond 

j  J.  Cheney 

j  P.  Aspinwall 

Benj.  Wilson 
Wm    Sharp 
Elias  Smiih 
Sam'l  Griffin 

Elias  Clark 
James  Ball 
K.  White 
Sam'l  Tucker 


i  Stephen  Wall 
Ira  Welch 
John  Fester 
Joseph  Waite 
Sam'l  Wight 
Joseph  Weld 
Isaiah  Allen 
Sam'l  Davis 
Sam'l  Clark 
E.  Hammond 

Joseph  Shepard 

Thos.  Hartshorn 

John  Seaver 
Minister  lot 
Ministry  lot 
Edward  Morris 
Ebenr.  Cragin 

E.Maurice 
J.  Frizzell 
Jos.  Heath 

Thomas  Mayo 
John  Seaver 
Sam'l  Morse 


not  settled 
Geo.  Robbins 
not  settled 
John  Goodale 

Moses  Evans 

not  settled 

not  settled 

not  settled 

Sam'l  Pratt 

not  settled 
Sam'l  Ball 
Mosely  Alvard 
not  settled 

Amariah  Roberts 
not  settled 
John  Brandon 
Tim   Nurse 


not  settled 

Joseph  Perry 
Ichabod  Johnson 
not  settled 
Andrew  Blunt 
Amos  Matsh 
not  settled 
Nathan  Stevens 
David  Bassett 


j  not  settled 


Ebnr.  Davis 
not  settled 

Israel  Olmstead 
Simeon  Olmstead 

Sam'l  Scott 
Sam'l  Spaulding 
Amzi  Doolittle 
Jos   Mavo  ) 

A.Dool;ttle,jun.  \ 
Sam'l  Scott,  jun. 
Sam'l  Bennett 


1S7.2 

B.  Davis's  place 
A.  Blake,  mills 
E.  Collates  place 
Morris    Coughlin, 

pasture 

Coughlin  and    J. 
Blake 

Coughlin  &  others 
(in  part) 

J.  Shepardson  (in 
j      part) 
I  I.      Whittimore's 

heirs 
\  Whitmore        and 
\      Flagg  (in  part) 
I  J.  Leonard,  farm 
;  ].  W.  Green,  farm 
i  W.  Flagg  (in  part) 
I  W.      Flagg      and 
others 

R.  Knight,  farm 
I  Bird's  pasture.  &c. 
i  W.  Burnett,  farm 
i  W.  B.  farm,  and 
I  Coughlin,  north 
I      part 

I  Green  and  Moore 
I  K.in)ball  &  others 
I  Kimball  &  others 
j  I'atridge  &  others 

N.  Jones  &  others 
I  D.  N.  Shepardson 
'  Houghton  place 
i  H.  Williams 

John  Morse 

E.     Barber,    pas- 
ture 

A.  Albee's,  Cook 
place 

Fisk       Cemetery, 
&c.,  Fisk  place 

Rarnard  Fisher 

H.  M    Harvey 

Wid.  Hoibrook 

C.  W    Hastings 
S.     Reed,     Smith 

place 
Sam'l  Reed 
James  Goldsbury 
J.  Goldsbury  and 

others 
Elisha  Brown 
K.  Brown  &  others 
W.    E.    Russell's 

pasture 


APPENDIX. 


185 


Owners  in  1737. 

A  few  years  after. 

1761. 

1872. 

vro4i 

Benj.  White 

Gershom  Davis 

Moses  Evans 

M   M    Stevens 

42 

Wm.  Dudley 

Joseph  Gould 

Moses  Evans 

M.  M.  Stevens  & 
others 

43 

Wm  Dudley 

Charles  Marsh 

Moses  Evans 

A.  K   Litchlleld 

44 

Robert  Harris 

Robert  Harris 

James  Ball 

Litchfield  and 
GokUbury 

45 

John  Masecroft 

Wm.  Dudley 

Thomas  Rich 

Cassius  (joldsbury 

46 

Benj.  Bugbee 

Wm.   Dudley 

Jonathan  Perry 

J.  &  J.  Goldsbury 

47 

Joseph  Daniels 

Robert  Harris 

Joseph  Goodale 

[oseph  Pierce 

48 

John  Chandler 

Jtio.  Chandler 

David  Allen 

G.  H.  Richards 

49 

Timothy  Mosman 

Timo.  Mosman 

Edward  Allen 

E.  &  E    F.  Mayo 

50 

Sam'l  Perry 

Sam'l  Perry 

Barnabas  Russell 

Messrs.  Ma)  0  and 
others 

SI 

Timothy  Whitney 

Timo.  Whitney 

Nathan  Ball 

Messrs.  RLayo  and 
others,  Ball 
Farm 

52 

Robert  Sharp 

Robert  Sharp 

Moses  Leonard 

Messrs.  Mayo  and 
others,  Ball 
Farm 

53 

John  Allen 

John  Mayo 

David  Ayers 

Asa  Gould  and 
others 

54 

Shubael  Seaver 

Joseph  Weeks 

David  Ayers,  jun. 

Heirs  of  D.  Tyler 

55 

Thomas  'I'aft 

Robert  Daniels 

not  settled 

Heirs  of  D.  Tyler 

56 

Andrew  Gardner 

Kobert  Heaih 

Jedediah  Wood 

C.  G.  A.  Prentice 

57 

Robert  Daniels 

Robert  Bennett 

Abner  Coflin 

C.  Hastings 

58 

Thomas  Mayo 

Thos.  Mayo 

Silas   Town 

John  Stearn? 

59 

Andrew  Seaver 

A.  Seaver 

not  settled 

John  Stearns 

60 

John  Rnggles 

John  Kiiggles 

"         " 

J.  Stearns  and 
others 

61 

John  Parker 

John  Parker 

Charles  Woods 

John  Whipple 

62 

John  Willson 

John  Willson 

K.  Prestcott 

R.  Weeks's  heirs 

63 

School  lot 

School  lot 

not  settled 

Wid   Lois  Smith 

THE    WAR   OF    1812-14. 

This  war  with  Great  Britain  was  declared  by  a  vote  of 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  in  the  month  of  June, 
18 1 2,  by  a  vote  of  seventy-nine  to  forty-nine  in  the  House, 
and  of  nineteen  to  thirteen  in  the  Senate  ;  and,  on  the 
i8th,  Pres.  Madison  signed  the  bill,  and  war  was  formally 
declared  the  next  day.  In  this  war  the  citizens  of  Warwick 
took  an  active  part  in  defence  of  their  country's  rights, 
although  a  majority  of  them  were  opposed  to  its  declaration. 
Among  those  that  enlisted  in  the  United-States  service 
were  John  Ager,  George  Stockwell,  Henry  Whipple,  and 

Parmenter  (privates) ;  Benjamin  Eddy  (drum-major)  ; 

Obadiah  Bass  (musician). 


l86  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


We  find  on  the  records  of  the  South   company  of  the 
Militia  in  our  town  the  following  regimental  orders  :  — 


To  Ca/t.  Williain  Burnett,  Jun. 

In  pursuance  of  Brigade  Orders,  bearing  date  of  Sept.  9, 
1814,  you  are  hereby  commanded  to  detach  forthwith,  from  the 
company  under  your  command,  one  ensign,  one  sergeant,  and 
fourteen  privates,  well  armed  and  equipped,  as  the  law  directs. 
You  are  likewise  further  commanded  to  parade  your  detached 
men  near  the  academy,  in  New  Salem,  on  Tuesday  the  thir- 
teenth day  of  September,  inst.,  at  nine  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  there 
to  wait  for  further  orders. 

Bknj.  S.  Wells, 
Col.  Tfd  Kegt.,  2d  Brig.,  ^th  Div, 
Montague,  Sept.  9,  1814. 

Sept.  ii,  18 14. 
Agreeable  to  regimental  orders,  a  training  was  appointed  to 
be  held  on  Monday,  Sept.  12,  1814;  and  the  clerk  received  or- 
ders from  Capt.  Wm.  Burnett  for  warning  the   company,  which 
was  duly  performed  according  to  orders. 

Sept.  12,  1814. 

Agreeable  to  appointment  and  legal  notice,  the  company  met 
at  the  usual  place  of  parade  at  eight  o'clock,  a.m.,  and  was 
called  to  order  by  the  captain.  Voted  and  chose  Cummins 
Lesure  clerk  pro  tern.  The  company  roll  was  called,  and  other 
duty  performed  ;  and  a  detachment  was  made,  and  the  follow- 
ing persons  were  detached  ;  viz.,  Ebenezer  Stearns  (ensign) ; 
Ebenezer  Barber  (sergeant) ;  Ephraim  Tuel,  Manning  Whee- 
lock,  Jonas  Leonard,  Willard  Packard,  Dexter  Fisk,  David 
Gale,  Jun,,  Stephen  Ball,  William  Boyle,  Abijah  Eddy,  Jonas 
Conant,  Samuel  Abbot,  Peter  Warrick,  Daniel  Smith,  Artemas 
Baker  (privates). 

(Attest)  Lemuel  Wheelock,  Clerk. 


APPENDIX.  187 

The  above  order  was  also  issued  to  the  North  company 
in  town  ;  and  said  company  was  called  together  accordingly. 
But,  as  the  records  of  said  company  have  not  been  found, 
we  therefore  add  the  following  names  of  persons,  that,  as 
we  are  informed,  w^ere  detached  on  said  occasion  for  like 
services  :  Abner  Goodale  (ensign)  ;  Nathan  Atvvood, 
Stephen  Williams,  Joseph  Williams,  jun.,  James  Ball,  jun., 

Samuel   Ball,   Ezra    Ripley,   Eli    Stockwell,  Maxwell 

(privates). 

Stephen  Gale,  Benoni  Ballou,  George  Jaseph,  Joseph 
Jaseph,  James  Fuller,  and  some  others,  went  into  the  service 
in  place  of  some  of  the  detached  men,  they  having  been 
hired  in  their  stead.  Of  the  aforesaid  only  these  are  now 
living  in  Warwick  :  Ebenezer  Barber,  Henry  Whipple. 

During  the  autumn  of  18 14,  John  Quincy  Adams  and 
others,  from  the  government  of  the  United  States,  were  sent 
to  Ghent,  in  Belgium,  to  meet  commissioners  from  Great 
Britain;  and,  on  the  24th  of  December,  a  treaty  of  peace 
was  signed.  The  news  reached  our  country  Feb.  11, 
1815.  Late  at  night  a  horseman  was  heard  galloping 
through  the  streets  of  Washington  with  news  of  peace  ;  and 
"  Peace  !  peace  ! "  soon  resounded  on  all  sides. 

The  joyful  news  soon  circulated  throughout  the  country. 
It  was  here,  when  received,  as  well  as  everywhere  else, 
hailed  with  delight  which  would,  at  this  time  of  railroads, 
steamboats,  and  telegraph  wires,  be  considered  tardy  in  the 
extreme.  And  on  the  eighteenth  day  of  February,  the 
treaty  was  ratified  by  the  United-States  Senate  ;  and  peace 
was  thereby  secured,  leaving  a  government  debt  of  over  a 
hundred  million  dollars,  with  our  commerce  destroyed,  and 
all  kinds  of  industry  depressed.  But  we  are  proud  to 
affirm,  that,  under  the  influence  of  our  free  institutions,  the 
above  debt  was  in  a  few  years  all  paid,  and  a  large  amount 
of  surplus  revenue  divided  among  the  States. 


l'88  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

An  Extract  from  the  Reflections  on  the  Tornado  which 
passed  from  Northfleid,  throui^h  Warwick,  to  Oram^e, 
Sept.  9,  1 82 1.  By  Elder  John  Shepardson,  Warwick, 
January,   1822. 

How  mighty  is  the  voice  of  God  ! 

How  heavy  is  his  hand  ! 
When  once  he  sways  his  awful  rod, 

None  can  his  power  withstand. 
Oft  has  he  spoke,  of  ancient  date, 

As  many  writers  say  ; 
And  now  he  speaks  to  us  of  late 

In  a  surprising  way. 

From  western  sky  a  cloud  arose, 

Some  thunder  and  some  rain  ; 
A  wind  which  nothing  could  oppose, — 

It  swept  both  hill  and  plain. 
It  broke  the  trees  of  largest  size, 

Tore  up  the  flinty  rocks. 
Striking  all  nature  with  surprise, 

Disturbed  the  peaceful  flocks. 

It  swept  off  barns,  and  houses  too, 

With  all  the  goods  they  owned, 
Leaving  whole  families  in  woe, 

And  some  with  broken  bones. 
But  oh  !  the  most  surprising  stroke. 

Too  shocking  to  relate  : 
Two  blooming  youths  by  whirlwind  spoke 

To  tl|p  eternal  state. 

Oh  !  come,  ye  living,  search  and  spy. 

And  view  the  wonder  well  ; 
Go  forth  from  North  field  mountain  high 

To  Orange  lofty  hill  ; 
Go  see  the  wounded,  hear  their  groans, 

And  hear  the  mourner's  cries  ; 
See  the  rent  earth  her  God  doth  own 

With  wonder  and  surprise. 


APPENDIX. 


189 


We  will  here  insert,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving  them, 
the  names  of  our  truly  noble  sons  who  toiled,  bled,  suf- 
fered, and  died  in  the  service  of  their  country  during  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion. 

Some  of  them  removed  from  town  prior  to  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  but  had  not  become  residents  of 
any  other  place  previous  to  their  enlistment  into  the  Union 
army.     All  honor  to  such  ! 

We  will  first  record  the  names  of  those  that  died ;  and 
their  names  are  inscribed  on  our  Soldiers'  Monument :  — 


Henry  W.  Lawrence, 
Francis  L.  Moore, 
Levi  E.  Switzer, 
Frederic  Williams, 
Benjamin  Hastings, 
LaFayette  Nelson, 
Edward  N.  CoUer, 
Seth  A.  Woodward, 
Henry  H.  Manning, 


James  D.  Delvee, 
Charles  Jones, 
Jas.  Henry  Fuller, 
Willard  Packard, 
Franklin  Pierce, 
John  B.  Caldwell, 
Warren  H.  Blake, 
Joseph  W,  Sawyer, 
Alexander  Cooper, 


Leander  S.  Jillson, 
M.  Stanley  Cashing, 
Monroe  L.  B.  Patridge, 
Joseph  Drake, 
Edwards  Davis, 
James  M.  Chapin, 
Jacob  S.  Rayner,  jun., 
S.P.  Shepardson,  Jan., 
Joseph  W.  Ellis  (27). 


The  following  are  the  names  of  those  that  returned,  and 
are  now  residing  in  Warwick  :  — 


Lyman  Mason, 
Nath.  M.  Pond, 
Henry  H.  Jillsoi'^, 
Dwight  S.  Jennings, 


Rayal  E.  Stimson, 
Jesse  F.  Bridge, 
George  Jennings, 
George  E.  Cook, 


Harwood  S.  Proctor, 
Joseph  A.  Williams, 
William  Dugan  (ii). 


Names   of  those    that  returned,  but.  removed  to    other 
places  :  — 


Joseph  Spencer, 
Henry  O.  Cook, 
George  Mason, 
Frederic  Quinn, 
Amory  Gould,  2d, 
Alphonzo  Rayner, 


Richards  Mayo, 
Henry  Witherell, 
Alonzo  Scott, 
Dwight  E.  Stone, 
Orrin  Curtis, 
Chas.  E.  Randall, 


Charles  Lawrence, 
Theodore  Putnam, 
Jairus  Hammond, 
Albert  C.  Barber, 
Artemus  W.  Ward. 
Richard  Weeks,  jun. 


90 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


William  Weeks, 
Francis  L.  Fuller, 
Joseph  Putnam, 
R.  Harding  Barber, 
Henry  W.  Kidder, 
Andrew  J.  Curtis, 
George  Severance, 
George  B.  Cobb, 


Sumner  Lincoln, 
Peter  Dyer, 
John  Farnsvvorth, 
Lewis  Atwood, 
William  H.  Mason, 
A.  R.  Jennings, 
Joseph  Adams, 
S.  T.  Underwood, 


Amos  Taylor,  3d, 
Alfred  Houghton, 
Elliot  Stone, 
Charles  W.  Higgins, 
Albert  L.  Hunt, 
Silas  Jennings, 
Samuel  Adams, 

Total,  41 


Joseph  Draper  and  Luke  Delvee  were  drafted  and  ac- 
cepted, and  each  procured  a  substitute. 

Charles  Goldsbury,  William  H.  Gale,  M.  W.  S.  Clark, 
*Henry  O.  Cook,  *Dwight  S.  Jennings,  Josiah  Conant,  2d, 
George  A.  Cashing,  and  John  M.  Putney,  were  also  drafted 
and  accepted,  and  paid  three  hundred  dollars  each  them- 
selves, or  by  their  friends,  and  substitutes  procured  by  the 
selectmen,  or  others.  Total,  eight.  In  all  lists,  seventy- 
nine. 


THE   REBEL   BELL. 

We've  got  a  bell  from  Rebeldom,  — 

A  secesh  bell,  I  mean,  — 
Suspended  from  our  school-house  dome. 

Upon  the  village  green. 

Its  voice  rings  out  at  morn  and  noon 

To  call  the  happy  throng 
Away  ixhm  sports  and  games, 

From  mirth  and  laugh  and  song. 

We  know  not  where  it  used  to  hang, 

Nor  whom  it  used  to  call  : 
If  amid  scenes  of  mirth  or  grief 

Its  notes  were  wont  to  fall. 


*  Drafted  after  discharged  and  returned  from  the  army 


APPENDIX.  191 

The  rebels  had  designed  to  send 

This  bell  to  Yankee  foes,  — 
Not  all  at  once  to  ring  for  school, 

But  how,  the  soldier  knows. 

Perhaps  its  hanging  here  will  save 

The  life  of  some  soldier  brave  ; 
And  he'll  come  back  to  friends  and  home,  — 

Not  fill  a  soldier's  grave. 

We  will  not  call  it  rebel  now, 

Here  in  this  North  land  free  : 
It  shall  not  stay  and  do  its  work, 

And  still  a  rebel  be. 

Oh,  no  !  a  rebel  at  the  North 

Is  what  we  all  despise  ; 
Then  we'll  rechristen  and  rename 

Our  little  rebel  prize. 

And  let  it  hang  and  do  its  work  ; 

And,  when  the  war  shall  end, 
It  shall  ring  out  with  joyful  shout,  — 

Its  voice  with  others  blend, 

To  welcome  back  our  soldier  band, 

Our  soldiers  true  and  brave. 
Who  are  fighting,  'neath  a  Southern  sky, 

For  the  Union  and  the  slave. 

Then  let  it  ring  at  morn  and  noon, 

No  more  a  rebel  bell : 
Its  voice  shall  teach  us  liberty, 

It  freedom's  words  shall  tell. 

And  may  all  those  who  enter  here. 

Or  listen  to  its  voice. 
Make  wisdom^  knowledge,  liberty, 

Their  earnest,  lasting  choice. 

Susie  E.  Barber. 

\Varwick,  Dec.  20,  1862. 


192 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Said  bell  was  taken  from  the  rebels  at  New  Orleans,  on 
its  way  to  the  foundry  to  be  cast  into  shot  and  shell  to  be 
sent  by  ordnance  into  the  Union  army  ;  which  incited  the 
author  to  compose  the  above  lines,  which  were  read  on 
that  occasion. 


LIST   OF  TOWN   OFFICERS,   &c. 

[WRIITEN    BY  J.    BLAKE   IN    1832.] 

There  have  been  thirteen  physicians  established  in  this 
town  for  a  longer  or  shorter  term  of  time,  only  two  of  whom 
have  died  here.     Their  names  are,  — 

Medad  Pomeroy,  Benjamin  Hazeltine,  John  Garfield, 
Ezra  Conant,  jun., Fairfield, Bliss,  John  Will- 
son,  Peletiah  Metcalf,  Ebenezer  Hall,  Ebenezer  Chaplin, 
Artemas  Baker,  Joel  Burnett,  and  Amos  Taylor. 

There  has  never  been  but  one  lawyer  who  attempted  to 
gain  a  living  among  us ;  viz.,  Henry  Barnard,  Esq 

There  have  been  fourteen  different  persons  chosen  repre- 
sentatives to  the  General  Court ;  viz. :  — 


No.  years'  service. 

No.  years'  service. 

Deacon  James  Ball  . 

.     2 

Dea.  Caleb  Mayo     . 

7 

Col.  Samuel  Williams 

2 

Ebenezer  Williams  . 

I 

Thomas  Rich   . 

3 

Justus  Russell . 

3 

John  Goldsbury 

9 

Jonathan  Blake,  jun. 

2 

Nathaniel  Cheney     . 

I 

Joseph  Stevens 

3 

Oliver  Chapin  . 

3 

Lemuel  Wheelock    . 

I 

Josiah  Cobb      . 

8 

AshbelWard   . 

2 

•  We  have  been  represented  forty-seven  years,  and  have 
been  without  a  representative  twenty-two  years,  since  the 
town  was  incorporated.  There  have  been  twelve  town 
clerks,  who  served  the  number  of  years  set  against  their 
names,  — 


APPENDIX. 


193 


No.  years'  service.  1  No.  years'  service. 

Dea.  James  Ball        .         .         .   12    Josiah  Pomeroy,  jun.         .         .12 


Amos  Marsh    . 

Col.  Samuel  Williams       . 

Ezra  Conant    . 

•  4 

•  3 
.     9 

Jonathan  Blake,  jun. 
Ebenezer  Hall . 
William  Cobb,  jun.  . 

.  15 
•  4 
.     I 

Dr.  Ezra  Conant,  jun. 
John  Conant     . 

.  I 
.    9 

Asa  Thayer 

Dr.  Amos  Taylor 

.  I 
•    3 

ALL  THE   SELECTMEN,    SINCE    THE    TOWN   WAS     INCORPORATED,    AND 
THE  NUMBER  OF  YEARS  THEY  SERVED  SET  AGAINST  THEIR  NAMES. 


Moses  Evans    . 
Jonathan  Woodard 
David  Buckman 
John  Ormsbee  . 
Peter  Procter    . 
Daniel  Whitney 
Ebenezer  Cheney 
Jacob  Rich 
Joel  Pierce 
Reuben  Shattuck 


Year. 
I 

I 
I 
I 
I 

I 


Yea 


John  Whitney  . 
Jacob  Estey 
Zachariah  Barber 
Ebenezer  Pierce 
Perez  Allen 
Elias  Knowlton 
William  Burnett,  jun 
Elijah  Fisk 
Jacob  R.  Gale  . 
Josiah  Rawson 


Making  twenty  selectmen  that  served  one  year  each. 
Here  follow  those  that  have  served  two  years  :  — 


Years. 

Years. 

Joseph  Gilbert 

.      2 

Nathaniel  Rich 

.      2 

Ezra  Conant     . 

.      2 

William  Cobb  . 

.      2 

David  Cobb      . 

.      2 

Abijah  Eddy     . 

.      2 

Seth  Peck         . 

.      2 

Ansel  Lesure    . 

.      2 

Joseph  Mayo     . 

.2 

Samuel  Ball      . 

.      2 

Making  ten  that  have  served  two  years  each. 
Those  that  served  three  years  :  — 


Years. 

Years. 

Amzi  Doolittle 

•    3 

Ebenezer  Stearns 

•    3 

Col.  Samuel  Williams 

•    3 

Ebenezer  Barber 

•    3 

Samuel  Langley 

•    3 

Col.  James  Goldsbury      . 

•    3 

Dr.  John  Willson     . 

T7 

•    3 

Total  seven. 

194  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 

Those  that  served  four  years  :  — 


Years. 
Josiah  Pomeroy        .        .        .4 
Josiah  Procter  ....    4 

Amory  Gale 

Total,  three. 

Years. 
.      4 

Those  that  served  five  years  :  — 

Years. 
Benjamin  Conant     .        .        .5 
Benjamin  Simonds  .         .         .5 
Capt.  John  Goldsbury      .        .     5 

Joseph  Stevens 
Total,  four. 

Years. 
•      5 

Those  that  served  six  years  :  — 

Years. 
Nathaniel  G.  Stevens       .        .    6    Justus  Russell 

Total,  two. 

Years. 
.      6 

Those  that  served  seven  years  :  — 

Years. 
Jeduthan  Morse       .        .        .7 
Thomas  Rich   ....     7 
Jonathan  Gale  ....     7 

Ebenezer  Williams  . 

Lemuel  Wheelock    . 

Total,  five. 

Years. 

•  7 

•  7 

Only  one  that  served  eight  years,  — 

Dr.  Medad  Pomeroy,  eight  years. 


Those  that  served  nine  years  : 


Years. 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. .  .  .9 
Amos  Marsh  .  .  .  .  9 
Mark  Moore     ....     9 


Total,  five. 


Those  that  served  ten  years  :  — 


Years, 
Dea.  James  Ball       .        .         .10 


Years. 


Caleb  Mayo      ....     9 
Joshua  Atwood        .        .        .9 


Years. 
Ashbel  Ward  .        .        .        .10 
Total,  two. 


Only  one  person  served  eleven  years,  —  Col.  James  Goldsbury    .       1 1 
Only  one  person  served  sixteen  years, — Josiah  Cobb  .        .        .       16 


APPENDIX. 


^95 


Making  sixty-one  different  selectmen  ;  and  nearly  one- 
third  of  them  served  only  one  year  each. 

The  above  account  is  from  the  incorporation  of  the  town 
up  to  and  including  the  year  1832. 

[written    by  J.    BLAKE   IN    1854.] 

In  the  past  twenty-two  years,  we  have  chosen  nine  dif- 
ferent persons  for  representatives  to  the  General  Court. 
(Lemuel  Wheelock  had  served  one  year  before  1832),  mak- 
ing twenty-two  different  persons  that  have  represented  this 
town  since  it  was  incorporated. 


Clark  Stearns  served  one  year, 
Ansel  Davis         "  *' 

Samuel  W.    Spooner  served 
one  year, 


il 


3J 


Making  three  persons  that  have 
served  one  year  since  1832, 
and  add  two  before,  making 
five  in  all  that  served  one 
year, 


Those  that  served  two  years  :  — ' 


William  E.  Russell, 
Ira  Draper, 
John  G.  Gale, 


2  years 
2     " 
2     " 


These  three  add  to  four  that 
served  before  1832,  making 
seven  in  all  that  served  two 
years,  7 


Served  three  years 


Jacob  C.  Gale, 
Abijah  Eddy, 


3  years 

-'  t 

2  J 


Add  these  two  to  four  that 
served  before  1832,  making 
six  iii  all  for  for  three  years,       6 


Served  six  years  :  — 

Lemuel  Wheelock,  by  adding  one  year  before  1832 
Caleb  Mayo,  served  seven  years  before  1832 
Josiah  Cobb,  served  eight  years  before  1832 
John  Goldsbury  served  nine  years  before  1832 


Twenty-two  different  representatives. 


196  HISTORY  OF  WARWICK. 

The  town  has  been  represented  sixty-seven  years  since  it 
was  incorporated,  ninety-one  years  ago,  and  has  been  un- 
represented twenty-four  years. 

Jonathan  Blake,  jun.,  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  con- 
vention for  amending  the  Constitution  of  the  State  in  1820. 

Samuel  W.  Spooner  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the  conven- 
tion for  amending  the  Constitution  in  1853. 

I  have  never  seen  any  record  of  there  being  a  delegate  in 
the  convention  from  this  town,  when  our  State  Constitution 
was  adopted  in  1780. 

Town  clerks,  with  the  number  of  years  they  held  the 
oflfice,  since  1832  :  — 

There  had  been  twelve  differ- 
ent persons  before  1832,  and 
four  since  that  time.  Amos 
Taylor  had  served  three 
years  before  and  six  years 
since,  making  nine  years  in 
all.  So  there  have  heen  six- 
teen town  clerks,  all  told. 

All  the  selectmen  that  had  held  that  office  before  1832 
were  sixty-one.  Since  1832  we  have  had  eighteen  different 
persons. 


Amos  Taylor, 
Lemuel  Wheelock, 

6  years 

2     •' 

Abijah  Eddy, 
George  Chesebro, 
Ira  Draper, 

6     " 

3    " 

5     " 

Served  one  year  :  — 

Joel  Pierce,  i  year 

Harvey  Conant,  i     " 


Add  these  two  to  twenty  pre- 
vious   ones,  makes    22  that  22 
served  one  year  only  ;    Ibri 
Baker,  chosen  this  year,  call     i 


Those  that  served  two  years  :  — 

Asa  Wheeler,  two  years,  added  to  ten  previous  ones,  makes  .     1 1 

„   „    .           ,  1  And    both    chosen    this  year, 

S.  N.  Atwood,  2  years  i         ,  .  ,        ,    1,     1  ,     -.i    /u 

^ ,        ,  ^  ,,  u       r      which  3  shall  add  with  those 

Edward  F.  Mayo,  2     "       f      .u  .  i.        1    r 

^  I      that  have  before. 


APPENDIX.  197 


Served  three  years  :  ■ 


Samuel  Blake,  3  years 

David  Gale,  jun.  3     '* 

David  Burnett,  3     " 

Clark  Stearns,  3 


Added  to  7  that  served  before 
1832,  making  a  total  of  15 


George  W.  Moore,  3     "       1      that  served  three  years  each,    15 

John  G.  Gale,  3     " 

8  J 

Those  that  served  four  years  :  — 

William  E.  Russell,  4  years  I 

Tames  Stockwell,  4  "  I    .  ,  ,    ,        ,         ,                , 

"i^           T^    ,  ..         Added  to  three  that  served  pre- 

Hervey  Barber,  4  "  ^        .               _ 

■^  I      vious  to  1832,  total, 

3  J 

Those  selectmen  that  served  five  years  :  — 

Jasper  Leland,  5  years 

Ira  Draper,  5     " 


Added  to  four  that  served  pre- 
vious to  1832,  makes  total, 


2 

Those  that  served  six  years:  — 

Joseph  Stevens,  three,  added    to  ]  Which,  with  two  others  before 
three  before,  6  years  j       1832,  make  3 

Those  that  served  seven  years  :  — 

Jacob    R.  Gale,  six  years    since  1  One,    added   to   five    previous 
1832,  and  one  before,  makes  7  >*  [      ones,  makes  6 

Dr.  Medad  Pomeroy  served  eight  years  previous  to  1832  i 

Five  different  persons  served  nine  years  each  previous  to  1832  .  5 

Two         "  "  "       ten  years  each  "  "  .  2 

One         "  "  "       eleven  years  "  ."  .  i 

One         "  "  "      sixteen  years  "  "  .  i 

80 
Mikuig  eighty  different  selectmen  since   the  town  was 
incorporated,  and  the  number  of  years  each  has  served. 
17* 


198 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


RESIDENTS   OF   WARWICK   OVER   SEVENTY   YEARS 
OF  AGE. 


Names  of  the  Females. 

Age. 
Mary  Lincoln .  .  .  .79 
Lucinda  Gale  (widow)  .  -78 
Lois  Goddard  (widow)  .  .  84 
Esther  Morton  (wid.,  pauper)  78 
Azubah  Whitmore  (pauper)  .  75 
Elizabeth  Whipple  (widow)  .  71 
Sarah  Leonard  (widow)  .  .  75 
Martha  Leonard  (widow)  .  80 
Eunice  Morse  .         .         .70 

Hannah  Lesure  (w.,  pensioner)  90 


Names  of  the  Males. 

Age. 

Asa  Atwood  (pauper)     . 

70 

Gushing  Lincoln     . 

79 

Phinehas  Child  (widower) 

76 

Justus  Russell 

77 

Stephen  Johnson  (pauper) 

75 

Josiah  Conant  (widower) 

90 

Nathan  C.  Morse  . 

79 

Jonas  Conant 

78 

Benjamin  Conant    . 

78 

Simeon  Stearns 

74 

David  Ball      .         .         .•       . 

73 

Asa  Bancroft  .         .         .         . 

73 

Caleb  Weeks. 

78 

Joseph  Draper  (widower) 

80 

Ezekiel  Nelson 

78 

Daniel  Whitmore  (pauper)     . 

80 

Aaron  Bass     .         .         .         . 

71 

Samuel  Williams  (widower)   . 

11 

Isaac  Hastings 

71 

Elijah  Davis  . 

82 

William  Howard    . 

76 

Luther  Smith 

71 

Amos  K.  Whitney  (widower) 

79 

John  Stearns  .         . 

73 

Erastus  Morgan  (pensioner) 

89 

Jonathan  Blake 

.    73 

Males       . 

.    ^6 

Females  . 

•    33 

Total  over  seventy  years.  59 
on  Feb.  i,  1854,  at  which  time  the 
above  was  taken. 


Eunice  Stearns  (single)  . 
Tamer  Stearns  (single)  . 
Sarah  Penniman  (widow) 
Mary  Gale  (widow) 
Sophia  Whitney  (single) 
Polly  Davis     . 
Polly  Johnson 
Betsey  Conant 
Susannah  Blake  (widow) 
Lucy  Eddy  (single) 
Sally  Weeks  . 
Polly  Knowlton  (widow) 
Lucy  Field  (single) 
Eunice  Barnard  (w.,  pauper) 
Anne  Conant . 
Leafy  Howard 
Rose  Sandin  (widow) 
Amy  Kelton  (widow) 
Elizabeth  Spencer  (widow) 
Rebecca  Brown  (widow) 
Lydia  Stockwell  (widow) 
Hannah  Leland  (widow) 
Sally  Mallory  (single)     . 


83 
71 
77 
83 
74 
74 
71 
72 
70 
71 
75 
74 
74 
80 

71 
75 
70 
70 
70 
81 
70 
80 
70 

33 


There  are  now  two  persons  in  town  over  ninety  years  of 


APPENDIX.  199 

age,  —  one  man  and  one  woman  ;  eleven  between  eighty 
and  ninety  years  of  age,  —  four  men  and  seven  women; 
and  forty-six  between  the  age  of  seventy  and  eighty  years. 
Of  the  above,  five  are  widowers,  and  eighteen  are  widows ; 
six  are  maiden  ladies.  There  are  two  pensioners,  —  one 
man  and  one  woman.  Six  of  the  above  are  maintained  by 
the  town  ;  viz.,  three  men  and  three  women. 

There  is  but  one  doctor  to  add  to  the  thirteen  that  we 
-counted  in  1832,  and  he  was  here  but  a  few  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Montague  ;  viz.,  Dr.  George  Wright.  Dr.  Amos 
Taylor,  before  mentioned,  is  the  one  now  practising  here, 
and  has  been  the  principal  physician  for  nearly  forty  years. 
The  first  and  only  postmaster  we  have  had  until  within  a 
year  was  William  Cobb,  who  held  that  office  nearly  fifty 
years,  and  until  his  death. 

[written  by  deacon  hervey  barber,  1872.] 

The  whole  number  of  persons  chosen  by  the  town,  previ- 
ous to  1854,  to  represent  them  in  the  Legislature  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, was  twenty-two.  In  1855  and  1856,  the  town 
voted  not  to  send.  Since  that  time  our  town  has  been  incor- 
porated into  a  district  with  Orange  and  New  Salem  for  that 
purpose.  Said  district  has  been  represented  by  a  citizen 
of  Warwick  four  times  since  its  incorporation,  by  three 
different  persons ;  viz.,  Nathaniel  E.  Stevens,  Esq.,  one 
year ;  Rev.  I.  S.  Lincoln,  two  years ;  and  E.  F.  Mayo,  Esq., 
one  year.  The  remainder  of  the  time  the  district  has  been 
represented  by  citizens  of  Orange  and  New  Salem. 

Previous    to    1854,    eighty  different   persons    had    been 
chosen,  and  served  as  selectmen  of  the  town  ;  and  the  names 
and  the  years  each  one  has  served  are  to  be  found  in  the. 
former  pages  of  this  work. 

From  1854  to  1872,  inclusive,  seventeen  persons  have 
performed  like  duties  ;  viz.,  James  L.  Stockwell,  one  year ; 


200  HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 

and  Ibri  Baker,  Clark  Stearns,  N.  E.  Stevens,  S.  W.  Jillson, 
Hervey  Barber,  Eben  G.  Ball,  for  two  years  each. 

Henry  G.  Mallard,  Charles  R.  Gale,  William  H.  Gale, 
Lyman  Atwood,  for  the  term  of  three  years  each. 

S.  N.  Atwood,  William  H.  Bass,  Jesse  F.  Bridge,  each  for 
four  years  ;  and  Edward  F.  Mayo  for  the  space  of  nine 
years,  he  having  served  three  years  prior  to  that  time,  make 
ing  twelve  years  in  all.  S.  N.  Atwood  had  also  served  three 
years  previous,  making  seven  in  all.  Hervey  Barber,  four 
previous,  making  six  years  as  his  time  of  service.  Clark 
Stearns,  three  before ;  showing  that  he  has  served  five  years. 
Ibri  Baker,  one  prior,  two  subsequent,  making  three  for  him  : 
so  that  we  can  now  add  twelve  more  names  to  the  honor- 
able list  that  has  preceded,  namely,  eighty  ;  it  being  a  sum 
total  of  ninety-two  citizens  of  our  town  that  have  been  elected 
as  selectmen,  and  performed  the  onerous  duties  of  that  im- 
portant office,  since  we  have  been  known  as  the  town  of 
Warwick,  —  a  little  over  a  hundred  and  nine  years.  For 
twenty-seven  years  previous  to  1763,  under  the  proprietors, 
we  were  known  as  Gardner's  Canada  ;  and  from  time  im- 
memorial prior  to  1736,  "This  country,  that  surrounds  our 
beautiful  Mount  Grace,  was  called  Sheomet,  its  Indian  name." 

In  summing  up  the  above  statement,  we  find  that  the 
persons  that  have  served  one  year  as  selectmen  are  23  ; 
those  that  have  served  two  years,  14 ;  also  those  that  have 
served  three  years,  17  ;  and  those  that  served  for  four  years, 
9  ;  also  for  five  years,  8 ;  and  for  six  years,  3  ;  for  seven 
years,  7  ;  for  eight  years,  i  ;  for  nine  years,  5  ;  for  ten  years, 
2  ;  for  eleven  years,  i  ;  for  twelve  years,  i  ;  for  sixteen 
years,  i  :  making  a  total  of  92  in  all,  since  1763. 

The  town  first  elected  a  superintending  school-committee 
at  the  annual  March  meeting,  18 14.  Before  that  time,  the 
resident  clergyman  performed  that  service,  it  being  con- 
sidered a  part  of  his  parochial  duties;  and  from  1814  to 


APPENDIX.  20I 

1827,  inclusive,  Rev.  Preserved  Smith  served  as  an  honorary 
member  and  chairman  of  the  Board ;  and  from  1822  to  1825 
the  town  neglected  to  choose  any  school-committee,  as 
there  are  no  names  found  upon  the  town  records  for  that 
responsible  office :  so  the  Rev.  P.  Smith  ably  and  satisfac- 
torily performed  all  the  labor  of  that  very  important  station 
for  that  term  of  years.  In  1826,  the  town,  at  Mr.  Smith's 
request,  elected  Dea.  Josiah  Proctor,  Dr.  Amos  Taylor, 
and*  Capt.  Ebenezer  Barber,  to  assist  him  in  its  onerous 
duties.  And  from  that  time  to  the  present,  1872,  the  town 
has  annually  chosen  from  three  to  twelve  persons  to  serve 
them  in  that  capacity. 

From  that  time,  18 14,  to  the  present,  the  following  per- 
sons have  been  elected,  and  have  served  the  town  in  the 
capacity  of  Superintending  School  Committee,  for  the  follow- 
ing terms  of  years,  including  1832  :  — 

Joshua  Atwood,  Dea.  Caleb  Mayo,  Joan  Whitney,  jun., 

Manning  Wheelock,  Thomas  White,  jun.,  Dea.  Joel  Pierce, 

Calvin  Allen,  Dea.  G.  W.  Moore,  Dea.  Edward  Mayo, 

Cushing  Lincoln,  Jasper  Leland,  Thomas  Chase,  jun., 

Dea.  John  Leonard,  Joshua  Williams,  jun  ,  George  Jones, 

Rev.  D.  H.  Barlow,  A.  C.  Felton,  Harvey  Conant, 

Otis  Brooks,  Esq.,  H.  G.  Mallard,  Esq.,  Rev.  A.  Jackson, 

James  Goldsbury,  jun,,  James  Stockwell,  Esq.,  Lyman  Rich, 

Dr.  C.  J.  Barber,  Harry  Grout,  Chandler  W.  Bass, 

E.  S.  Proctor,  Luke  Delvee,  George  A.  Cushing. 

Thirty  persons,  in  all,  that  have  served  one  year. 

Eben'r  Williams,  Esq.,  Amos  K.  Whitney,        James  Kelton,  jun., 
Capt.  John  Stearns,        Samuel  Moses,  jun.,       Harvey  Robbins, 
Rev.  S.  S.  Kingsley,       Rev.  George  F.  Clark,  George  N.  Richards, 
Dea.  D.  Tyler,  George  W.  Smith,  Rev.  W.  A.  P.  Willard, 

D.  M.  Shepardson,        William  H.  Bass,  Rev.  John  Shephardson. 

Fifteen  persons  that  have  served  two  years. 


202  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Hall,         Dea.  Ebenezer  Pierce,  Joseph  Stephens,  Esq., 

Rev.  Sam'l  Kingsbury,  Ch'as.  Pomeroy,  Esq.,  Benj.  R.  Felton,  Esq., 

Rev.  H.  M.  Bridge,        Oilman  Brown,  Albert  Witherell, 

James  L.  Stockwell,       William  H.  Gale,  Joseph  Clark. 

Twelve  persons  for  three  years. 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Barber,  James  Goldsbury,  Esq., 

Dr.  George  Wright,  Wm.  E.  Russell,  Esq. 

Four  persons  for  four  years. 

Clark  Stearns,  Esq.,      Martin  Harris,  Appleton  Gale, 

Justus  Russell,  Esq.,      Abijah  Eddy,  Esq.,        E.  F.  Mayo,  Esq., 
Rev.  John  Goldsbury. 

Seven  persons  for  five  years. 

Charles  R.  Gale,  Eben  G.  Ball,  Esq.,        Henry  K.  Atwood. 

Three  persons  for  six  years. 

Col.  B.  G.  Putnam,        John  Stearns,  jun. ,         J.  A.  J.  Moore, 
James  S.  Wheeler,         Lem'l  Wheelock,  Esq.,  Jona.  Blake,  Esq. 
Dr.  Amos  Taylor, 

Seven  persons  for  seven  years. 

Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch,  one  for  nine  years. 
Dr.  Gardner  C.  Hill,  one  for  ten  years. 
Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  one  for  sixteen  years. 
Dea.  Hervey  Barber,  one  for  eighteen  years. 

Making  eighty-two  persons  that  have  served  in  that 
responsible  office  in  fifty-four  years. 

The  number  of  persons  that  had  served  as  town  clerk 
prior  to  1854  was  sixteen.  Since  that  time,  Ira  Draper 
has  been  town-clerk   five  years,    Henry  G.   Mallard    one 


APPENDIX. 


203 


year,  Edward  F.  Mayo  seven  years,  and  A.  S.  Atherton 
five  years,  including  the  present.  Ira  Draper  had  served 
five  years  previous  ;  making  nineteen  persons  in  all  that 
have  served  since  the  incorporation  of  the  town. 

From  the  year  1802  to  the  present  (1872),  William  Cobb, 
Esq.,  was  chosen,  and  acted  as  town  treasurer  forty-seven 
years ;  James  Goldsbury,  Esq.,  nine  ;  Rev.  R.  C.  Hatch, 
one  ;  Col.  B.  G.  Putnam,  four  ;  Phillip  Young,  four  ;  and  A. 
S.  Atherton,  Esq.,  five  years  ;  making  a  sum  total  of  six  per- 
sons that  have  filled  that  office  honorably  to  themselves, 
and  satisfactorily  to  the  town,  during  the  last  seventy 
years. 

The  postmasters  of  our  town  since  1803  have  been  Wm. 
Cobb,  Esq.,  Lemuel  Scott,  Quartus  M.  Morgan,  Benjamin 
G.  Putnam,  and  Abner  Albee  (our  present  incumbent), 
making  only  five  persons  that  have  held  that  necessary  ap- 
pointment, for  a  term  of  almost  seventy  years,  showing  that 
location  and  capability  have  governed  the  people  in  nomi- 
nating their  candidates,  in  preference  to  party  politics. 


We  have  now  to  add  to  the  fourteen  physicians  that 
resided  here  prior  to  1854  the  names  of  George  Field,  who 
lived  and  practised  in  this  town  two  years  ;  G.  C.  Hill, 
who  resided  with  us  ten  years,  then  removed  to  Keene, 
N.  H.  ;  C.  J.  Barbour,  who  was  with  us  from  one  to  two 
years ;  and  Samuel  P.  French,  who  came  here  in  1869,  and 
is  with  us  at  the  present  time,  and  is  the  only  practising 
physician  residing  in  town  :  making,  with  those  that  have 
been  mentioned,  eighteen  different  persons  that  have  lived 
with  us,  and  practised  their  profession,  since  the  town  was 
first  settled. 


204  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Dr.  Amos  Taylor,  who  has  been  mentioned-  twice  in 
this  volume,  deserves  something  more  than  a  passing 
notice  from  us ;  for  he  lived  with  us  a  half-century,  and 
practised  his  profession  in  a  discreet  and  acceptable 
manner  for  over  forty  years.  He  died  April  28,  1865,  aged 
eighty  years.  While  he  was  with  us,  he  was  a  careful  and 
esteemed  physician,  an  honored  citizen,  a  true  friend,  a 
sincere  Christian,  and  an  honest  man.  And  before,  closing 
this  account  of  the  late  physicians  of  Warwick,  we  will  quote 
an  extract  from  the  Rev.  P.  Smith's  semi-centennial  sermon 
where  he  speaks  of  Dr.  Medad  Pomeroy,  who  was  a  con- 
temporary with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hedge,  a  near  neighbor  and 
an  intimate  friend.  ''  Dr.  Pomeroy  was  a  native  of  North- 
ampton, and  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1759.  He  died 
October,  18 19,  five  years  after  my  settlement,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-three  years.  He  gave  me  many  interesting 
reminiscences  of  his  beloved  pastor,  and  of  those  early 
times,  truly  'days  of  small  things,'  when  both  united  their 
efforts  to  advance  the  best  interests  of  the  new  town,  both 
religious  and  material.  Often,  when  he  was  attending 
patients  whose  means  of  comfort  were  small,  Mr.  Hedge 
would  fill  his  saddle-bags  with  such  things  as  were  timely 
and  necessary.  Dr.  Pomeroy's  sympathies  were  very  tender 
for  the* afflicted  ;  and  on  funeral  occasions  he  was  expected 
to  have  a  seat  with  the  mourners,  not  unfrequently  mingling 
with  his  tears  words  of  Christian  consolation.  His  kind 
feelings  to  all  endeared  to  him  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
He  was  also  distinguished  for  a  generous  hospitality.  Dr. 
Pomeroy  used  to  repeat  to  his  friends  the  following  lines, 
as  an  expression  of  his  hospitable  heart : — 

" '  To  my  best  my  friends  are  free, 
Free  with  that,  and  free  with  me  ; 
Free  to  pass  the  timely  joke. 
And  the  tube  sedately  smoke  ; 


APPENDIX.  205 


Free  to  act,  and  free  to  think, 
(No  informers  with  me  drink) ; 

Free  to  stay  a  night  or  so, 
And,  when  uneasy,  free  to  go.'  " 


HYMN   OF   WELCOME. 

BY    MISS    M.    A.    REED. 

Friend  and  Pastor,  *thou  who  ever 

Helped  to  tune  our  lips  to  praise, 
We,  with  willing  hearts  and  voices, 

Greet  thee  with  glad  welcome  lays. 
Here  thy  church,  our  place  of  worship  ; 

Here  the  people  of  thy  care  : 
Welcome !  welcome  !  faithful  pastor  ; 

Lead  again  our  praise  and  prayer. 

Fifty  years,  with  all  their  changes 

Deep  inwrought  on  time's  bright  scroll, 
Here  to-day,  on  memory's  tablet, 

Gently  backward  seem  to  roll. 
Once  again  we  seem  to  see  thee. 

As  by  Christ-like  faith  sustained, 
In  thy  manhood's  strength  and  vigor, 

To  thy  life's  great  work  ordained. 

Girded  with  the  Christian's  armor, 
.  Thy  great  mission  just  begun. 
Through  long  years  of  patient  labor, 

Still  we  see  thee  pressing  on. 
Guiding  erring  feet  from  danger, 

Telling  weary  ones  of  rest. 
Leading  onward,  pointing  upward, 

To  the  haven  of  the  blest. 


!o6  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Fifty  years  !  where  are  the  facea 

That  were  wont  to  greet  us  ?  where  ? 
Where  the  voices  wont  to  mingle 

In  our  praise,  and  in  our  prayer  ? 
They  like  autumn  leaves  are  scattered : 

Some  afar  on  life's  broad  sea, 
Some  in  foremost  ranks  of  battle. 

Some  at  home,  O  God  !  with  thee. 


Fifty  years,  dear  Christian  pastor. 

One  by  one  swift  circling  round, 
Have  thy  life  with'bright-hued  glories 

Of  life's  autumn  richly  crowned. 
Soon  thy  weary  steps  will  linger 

Close  beside  our  Father's  door  : 
Then  thou'lt  hear  a  glorious  welcome 

On  that  happy  heavenly  shore. 

Warwick,  Oct.  12,  1864. 


RECORD    OF    MARRIAGES    AND    INTENTIONS    OF 
MARRIAGE. 

FOUND  IN    THE   DIARY   OF  JONA.    BLAKE,   JUN.,   OF   WARWICK. 

Dec.    7,  1806.   Joel  Mayo  and  Abigail  Reed,  married  in  Meet- 
ing-house by  Rev.  Samuel  Reed. 
Dr.  Ebenezer  Hall,  married. 
C.  Rich,  married. 
Samuel  Williams,  married. 
Clark  Stearns  and  Hannah  Leonard,  married. 
Jonas  Leonard  and  Patty  Davis,  married. 
Mary  Champney,^  married. 
Benjamin  Conant,  4th,  married. 
Lois  Stevens,  married. 
Josepli  Willson  and  Eunice  Ball,  married. 
Mr.  Daniel  Cook  and  Widow  Goodell,  married. 


•May 

13, 

1807. 

(( 

20, 

it 

ii 

3i» 

" 

June 

4, 

u 

Dec. 

10, 

li 

Feb. 

II, 

1808. 

Mar. 

9. 

1809. 

Mar. 

18, 

I8I0. 

Oct. 

31, 

ii 

Nov. 

22 

(I 

Dec. 

II, 

1810. 

Apr. 

1 4, 

1811. 

Aug. 

21, 

u 

Sept. 

29, 

u 

Oct. 

9. 

« 

Nov. 

19' 

a 

u 

21, 

(( 

u 

26, 

a 

Jan. 

21, 

1812, 

Oct. 

12, 

u 

Nov. 

17, 

a 

Jan. 

2, 

1814, 

Mar. 

31, 

" 

Apr. 

10, 

a 

APPENDIX.  207 

Mr.  Samuel  Mayo,  married, 

Levi  Smith  and  Lydia  Cobb,  married. 

Cummins  Lesure  and  Polly  Ball,  married. 

Isaiah  Bridge  and  Sukey  Davis,  married. 

Anna  Stevens,  married. 

Mr.  Levi  Gage  and  Nancy  Barnes,  married. 

William   B.  Stow  and  Lucy  Moore,  married  in 

the  meeting-house. 
Jos.  Williams,  Jr.,  and  Patty  Williams,  married. 
21,  1812.   Asa  Melendy  and  Sally  Moore,  married. 
Betsy  Champney,  married. 
Zebiah  Williams,  married. 
2,  18 14.   Joseph  Willson  and  Nancy  Reed,  married. 
Stephen  Johnson  and  Polly  White,  married. 
Artemas  Baker  and  Elizabeth  Bird,  married  by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"     14,      "      Aaron  Leland  and  Lucy  Smith,  married  by  Jona- 
than Blake,  Jr. 
Nov.  10,      "      David  Rich  and  Lucretia  Mayo,  married. 
Feb.     I,  181 5.    Elijah  Wrisley  and  Polly  Bancroft,  married  by 

Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Mar.    6,      "      Caleb  Hastings  and  Huldah  Penniman,  married. 

"       8,'     "      Susannah  Gould,  married. 
May  30,      "      Willard  Packard  and  Hannah  Smith,  married  by 

Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Apr.  17,  1817.    John  Bowman,  married. 

Sept.  29, '     "      Jonathan  Shepardson  and  Hannah  Delvee,  mar- 
ried. 
"     29,      "      Artemas  Brown  and  Patience  Bancroft,  married. 
Dec.    4,      "      Lemuel    Wheelock   and    Rhoda    Chamberlain, 

married. 
July     8,  1818.    Moses    M.    Reed   and    Hannah    M.    Hazeltine, 
married. 
"     13,      "      Stephen  Cobb  and  Laura  Howard,  married. 
Aug.  26,      "      Joseph  Goddard  of   Orange  entered  his    inten- 
tions with  Maria  Moore. 
"     27,      "      George    Oliver,    Esq.,    and     Deborah    White, 
married. 


2o8  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK.  . 

Nov.  25,  18 1 8.    Elkanah  Whipple,  his  intentions  with  Elizabeth 

Stearns. 
Dec.     3,      "      John  Ball,  Jr.,  his  intentions  with  Harriet  Moore, 
and  was  married  in  the  meeting-house  Jan.  3, 
1819. 
"       6,      "      Nathan  Stevens  of   Barre,  his    intentions  with 

Lois  Stevens. 
*'     16,      "      Samuel  Howe  of  Framingham,  and  Sally  Hast- 
ings, married  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Feb.     2,  1819.    Benjamin   Perry,   his   intentions   with    Hannah 
Dean. 
"     15,      "      George   Jeseph    and    Mary   West,    married    by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Mar.  17,      "      David  Barry,  his  intentions  with  Sarah  Munroe. 
Apr.     7,      *'      David  Battles,  his  intentions  with  Eunice  Pick- 
ering. 
"     18,      "      Harvey  Woods   and    Sally  Pierce,  married   by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
July    16,      "      Dean  Lincoln,  his  intentions  with    Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Eager. 
Oct.    10,      "      Warren  Atwood,  his  intentions  with  Eliza  Stock- 
well. 
"     33,      "      Stephen    Reed,    his    intentions    with     Jerusha 

Moore. 
"     30,      "      Samuel   T.   Delvee,  his   intentions  with    Betsy 
Ball. 
Nov.    3,      "      John  Whitney,  Jr.,  his  intentions  with  Abigail 

Foster. 
Feb.  10,  1820.    Levi  Stimpson,  his  intentions  with  Eliza  Proctor. 
•Mar.     I,      "      William    Hastings,    his    intentions    with    Mary 
Dutton  of  Windham,  Vt. 
"       2,      "      Eliphalet  Kingman,  his  intentions  with  Mehetable 

Allen. 
"       4,      "      Hori   Waistcoat,    his   intentions    with    Clarissa 
Fisher  of  Royalston. 
Apr.     7,      "      Stephen  J.'  Kendal,  his  intentions  with  Ruth  B. 
Fisher  of  Royalston. 
"     15,      "      George  Fisher,  his  intentions  with  Ruth  Wood- 
ward of  Petersham. 


APPENDIX. 


209 


May     I,  1820.    Henry  Whipple,  his  intentions  with  Polly  Smith. 
Sept.    9,      "      Jonas  Hill,  his  intentions  with  Lucretia  Moore. 
"     21,      "      Daniel  Smith,  his  intentions  with  Melinda  Taft 
of  Richmond,  N.H. 
Oct.      I,      "      Samuel  Blake  and  Betsy  Fay,  married  by  Rev. 

Preserved  Smith, 
Jan.    13,  1821.    David   Ball  entered  his  intentions  of  marriage 
with  Elizabeth  Rice. 
"     23,      "      Amory  Mayo  entered  his  intentions  of  marriage 
with  Sophronia  Cobb. 
Feb.     4,      "      Isaac  Metcalf  of  Royalston   entered  his  inte-n- 
tions  of  marriage  with  Mrs.  Anna  M.  Rich. 
"     10,      "      Reuben   Harrington   of  Orange,  his  intentions 
of  marriage  with  Abigail  Abbot. 
Aug.     I,      "      Jonathan   Blake,  Jr.,  and   Mrs.    Betsy   Ballard, 
married  at  Greenfield. 
Ezekiel    Ellis,    his  'intentions   with    Tamazine 

Whitmore. 
Dean   Penniman,   his   intentions    with    Hannah 
Hastings. 
1822.    Chapin  Holden,  his  intentions  with  Lucy  Jackson  ; 
and  they  were  married  Feb.  5,  1822,  by  Jona- 
than Blake,  Jr. 
Abraham  P.  Sherman,  intentions  with  Polly  Fay. 
Thomas    Chase,   Jr.,    intentions   with    Rebecca 

Chase. 
Joshua  T.   Sanger,   intentions   with    Martha  H. 

Leonard. 
Joseph  Williams,  Jr.,  intentions  with  Hannah  J. 

Mann. 
Moseley  Clapp,  intentions  with  Emelia  Burnett. 
James  Ball,  Jr.,  intentions  with  Clarissa  Ball. 
Jonathan  Jackson,    intentions   with    Mrs.    Lucy 
Wheeler. 
"     27,      "      Cushing  Lincoln  and  Mrs.  Mara  Gale,  married 
by  Jonathan  Blake,*  Jr. 
Mar.    9,      "      William  Proctor,  intentions  with  Anna  Fay. 
"     29,      "      Daniel  Johnson,  intentions  with  Almira  Porter. 


Sept.    3, 

u 

Nov.  17, 

(( 

Jan.    19, 

1822. 

Apr.    4, 

<( 

May  18, 

(( 

June  25, 

ii 

July   25, 

u 

Sept.    7, 

a 

Nov.  30, 

(( 

Feb.    5, 

1823, 

2IO  HISTORY  OF   WARWICK. 

Apr.   1 6,  1823.    Seth    Stratton,    intentions    with    Freedom    A. 

Holton. 

"     21,      "      Adams    Batchelder,    intentions    with     Clarissa 

Hastings. 

May  10,      "      Daniel  Pratt,  intentions  with  Bathsheba  Delvee. 

Sept  18,      "      Rev.  P.    Smith,  intentions  with   Tryphena  W. 

Goldsbury. 
Oct.      I,      "      Amory  Pierce,  intentions  with  Sophronia  Barnes. 
''       3,      "      Samuel  Abbot,  intentions  with  Abigail  Jones  of 

Templeton. 
*"     12,      "      Anson    Lyman,   intentions   with    Katharine    R. 

Murdock. 
••     31,      "      George  Bacheller,  intentions  with  Nancy  Pom- 
eroy  Pond. 
Jan.     16,  1824.    Willard  Barnes,  intentions  with  Delight    Rice 

of  New  Salem. 
Feb.    28,      "      Humphrey   VVheelock,  intentions  with  Sophia 

Lesure. 
Mar.     6,      "      Sylvanus  Ward,  intentions  with  Anna  Draper. 
"     21,      "      John    Hoi  man   of    Royalston,    intentions    with 
Eliza  Estey. 
Apr.   II,      "      Elias  Knolton,  intentions  with  Mrs.  Polly  Cook. 
May  29,      "      Elisha  Rich,  intentions  with  Caroline  G.  Parker 

of  Winchester,  N.H. 
June    4,      "      Samuel  Hammond  entered  his    intentions  with 
Mary  R.  Thayer. 
"      Joel  Leonard  and  Abigail  Delvee,  married. 
"-     Silas   Lewis,   intentions    with    Sabrina  Conant ; 
and   they  were  married  Jan.  9,  1825,  by  Jona- 
than Blake,  Jr. 
"      Ebenezer     Bird,     Jr.,     intentions    with     Sarah 

Knolton. 
"      Alexander  Blake,  intentions  with  Polly  Ward 
and   they   were   married   Nov.    18,    1824,  by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"      Henry  Willard  and  Mrs.  Sally  Wood,  married 

by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"      Joseph  W.  Chase  of  Royalston,  intentions  with 
Melinda  Gale. 


li 

21J 

Sept. 

13, 

Oct. 

3, 

(( 

3, 

a 

5, 

Dec. 

6, 

APPENDIX.  211 

Dec.  31,  1824.   Jonas  Conant,  intentions  with  Anna  Barker  of 

Brattleboro',  Vt. 
Jan.    21,  1825.    Asa  Robbins,  Jr.,  and  Loving   Collar,  both  of 

Northfield,  married  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Feb.     3,      "      JamSs  Pierce  and  Cyntha  Bacheller  of  Warwick, 
married  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"     24,      "      Eliphaz  Gould,  intentions  with  Betsey  Simonds. 
Mar.     4,      "      Daniel  Woodbury  of  Royalston,  intentions  with 
Persis  Chase. 
"       7,      "      Jonathan  Shepardson  of    Royalston,  intentions 

with  Nancy  Jeseph. 
"     12,      "      Capt.    Josiah    Proctor,    intentions    with    Polly 
Thompson  of  Royalston. 
Apr.  20,      "      Reuel  Collar  and  Hannah  Chapin,  both  of  North- 
field,  married  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Sept.    2,      "      Amory  Gale,  Jr.,  intentions  with  Patty  Leland. 
*'     29,      "      Lorenzo  Lord  of  Orange,  intentions  with  Olive 

Moore. 
"     29,      "      Gardner  Conant,  intentions  with  Livonia  Hodge. 
Oct.  18,      "      Mr.  Joseph  Goodell  (aged  90  years)   and  Mrs. 
Sarah  Woodcock  of  Royalston,  married. 
"     23,      "      David  Clark,  intentions  with  Hannah  Fisher. 
"     29,      "      David  Burnet,  intentions  with  Marcia  Grout  of 
Richmond,  N.H. 
Nov.  20,      '.'      John  Smith  and  Lois  Jeseph,  married  by  Jona- 
than Blake,  Jr. 
"     27,      "      Elder  John  Shepardson,  intentions  with  Abigail 
Lawrence  of  New  Salem. 
Dec.     2,      "      Jonathan  Gardner,  intentions  with  Abigail  Cole. 
"       9,      "      William  Frye  of  Bolton,  intentions  with  Fanny 

Fuller. 
"     II,      "      Andrew  Russell,  intentions  with  Melinda  Fay. 
Jan.    13,  1826.    Edward  Mayo  entered  his  intention  of  marriage 
with  Eunice  Ball. 
"     21,      "      Aaron   Bass  entered  his  intention  of  marriage 
with  Mrs.  Betsey  Rice. 
Feb.     2,      "      Isaac  Hastings,  Jr.,  entered  his  intention  of  mar- 
riage   with  Prudence  Hallory  of  Winchester, 
N.H. 


212  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Mar.  20,  1826.    Wheaton    Kelton   of    Winchester,    N.H.,   with 

Mary  Ann  Bishop  of  Warwick. 
July    20,      "      Jacob  Collar  of  Northfield,  with   Betsey  Smith 

of  Warwick. 
Aug.  23,       '•'      Elisha  Brown,  Jr.,  with  Almira  Cole. 

"     29,      "      Henry  Sawyer  of  Lancaster,  with  Catharine  B. 
Burnett  of  Warwick. 
Sept.    2,      "      Ichabod   D.    Battle    of  .  Orange,   with    Miranda 
Moore  of  -Warwick. 
"       9,      "      Joseph.  Williams,  with  Mrs.  Lucy  Pratt. 
Oct.    13,      "      Dennis  Fay,  with  Adaline  H.  Flagg  of  Holden. 
Nov.  19,      "      Samuel  T.  Delvee,  with  Rebecca  Stockwell. 
Dec.     2,      "      James    Goldsbury,  with     Miranda   Sweetser  of 
Athol. 
"      9,      "      Charles   Barber  of    Northfield,    with    Mary  E. 
Williams  of  Warwick. 
Mar.  24,  1827.   John   C.  Washburft,  with  Aroe  Clark,  both  of 
Warwick  ;  and  they  were  married  April  19,  by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Afay     5,      "      Seth  Woodard,  Jr.,  with  Lucy  or  Arethusa  Hol- 
man  of  Orange  ;  and  they  were  married  June 
10,  by  Jonathan  Blajce,  Jr. 
July    16,      "      Melzar  Williams,  with  Scybinda  Wheelock. 
Sept.  !4,      "      Samuel  Gilson  of  Erving's  Grant,  with  Achsah 

Burnett  of  Warwick. 
Oct.     4,      "      Amory    Bartlett    of    Chesterfield,    N.H.,    with 
Meriam  Conant. 
"     28,      "      Jasper  Leland,  with  Harriet  Ann  Bass. 
Dec.     8,      "      Rev.    Nahum   Gould  of    Macdonnough,    N.Y.; 
with  Rebecca  B.   Leonard  ;  married   Jan.  29, 
1828. 
"     14,      "      John  Adams  Green,  with  Lucy  Delvee  ;  and  were 
married  Jan.  i,  1828,  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
1828.   John  Goodell  Watts,  with  Mary  Foster. 
"      Elijah  Fisk,  with  Experience  Wheelock. 
"      Clement  Smith   Johnson  of   New  Salem,  with 

Hannah  Hazeltine  Gale  of  Warwick. 
"      Alpheus  Eastman  of    Hollis,  N.H.,    with  Sally 
AVilliams  of  Warwick. 


Jan. 

17, 

" 

17, 

Apr. 

12, 

May 

3, 

Aug. 

4, 

(( 

a 

23, 

a 

Sept. 

5, 

a 

Oct. 

26, 

a 

Apr. 

18, 

1830. 

APPENDIX.  213 

July      I,  1828.    David  Rich,  with  Mrs.  Eh'zabeth  Chesebrough  ; 
and  was  married  Aug.  3,  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
William  E.  Russell,  with  Mary  Ann  Pomroy. 
David  Burnett  entered  his  intentions.with  Lydia 

Fulton  of  New  Salem. 
Asa  Taft,  with    Nancy  Burnap  of  Nelson,  N.H. 
Joseph  Ball,  with  Jerusha  Hale,  both  of  Warwick. 
Daniel  Evans  and  Mehetable  Cook,  married  by 
Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Dec.   12,  1 83 1.    Benjamin  Merriam  and  Mrs.  Polly  Carter,  mar- 
ried by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Jan.    II,  1832.   Alexander  Burnett  and  Eliza  Burnett,  married 

by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
May  23,      "      George  W.  Moore  and  Sarah  P.  Leonard,  mar- 
ried by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"     27,      "      Ichabod  Whipple  and  Fanny  Simonds,  married 

by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"     29,      "      Noah  Adams  of  Winchester,  N.H.,  and  Eunice 
Stearns,  married  by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Nov.     I,      "      Hervey  Barber  and  Hannah  Leland,  married. 
Jan.      8,  1833.    Alvah  C.  Page  and  Mary  Ann  Blake,  married. 
June     2,      "      Artemas  Murdock,  Jr.,  and  Mary  Simonds,  mar- 
ried by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
Sept.  20,  1835.    Samuel   Nute  and  Sarah  Ann  Delvee,  married 
by  Jonathan  Blake,  Jr. 
"      Asa  H.  Conant  and  Semira  Fuller,  married. 
1836.    Benjamin    F.    Dean    and    Mary   Ann    Russell, 
married. 
"      Keith  White  and  Mary  H.  Goodell,  married. 
1839.   James  H.  Clapp  and  Leonora  Blake,  married'by 
Rev.  Preserved  Smith. 
"     28,      "      Artemas  B.  f^uller  and  Ophelia  Packard,  mar- 
ried by  Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch. 
Dec.     2,      "      Samuel  Fay,  Jr.,  and  Sarah  Taylor. 
May  17,  1840.    Frederic  Clapp  and  Martha  M.  Blake,  married 

by  Rev.  Preserved  Smith. 
Nov.  29,      "      Ibri  Baker  and  Eliza  Barber,  married. 
Jan.      5,  1 841.    Mr.  Furbush  and  Sarah  Fisher,  married. 


Nov. 

3; 

Dec. 

21, 

a 

22, 

Nov. 

28, 

214 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


1841.  Mark  Foster  and  Sarah  Nash,  married. 

Stillman  Barber  and  Mary  Fisher,  married. 
Dea.  Hervey  Barber  and  Ann  M.  Child,  married. 
Joseph  W.  Green  and  Mary  Ann  Ball,  married. 
James  E.  Blake  and  Relief  Smith,  married  by 

Rev.  Preserved  Smith*. 
Alfred  Nutter  and  Charlotte  Mayo,  married. 
Lewis  A.  Drury  and  Sarah  C.  Gilbert,  married 

by  Jonathan  Blake. 
July     4,1844.    Benjamin  F.  Fuller  and  Mary  Green,  married. 


Jan. 

6,  1841 

Apr. 

20,      " 

May 

31,      '' 

Oct. 

3.     ." 

Nov. 

15,      " 

Nov. 

7,  1842. 

Feb. 

I,  1843- 

RECORD  OF  DEATHS  IN  WARWICK. 


COPIED   FROM  JONA.    BLAKE'S   DIARY. 


1807. 

Dec.  12, 

Feb.  13,  Frederick  Barnes. 

1809. 

"    23,  Mr.  Peter  Delvee. 

Feb.     I, 

May  II,  Mary  Ann  Blake. 

"    20, 

June  12,  Martin  Maynard. 

Mar.  10, 

July     8,  Mr.  J.  Weeks,  accident. 

"     13, 

Aug.  10,  Mrs.  Davis. 

May     2, 

Oct.     6,  Dr.  Ellis. 

Sept.  14, 

Nov.   8,  Harriet  Mayo. 

Nov.    2, 

"     28,  David  Bancroft. 

1810. 

1808. 

Mar.    6, 

Jan.     6,  Lucy  Haven. 

"     12, 

"     13,  John  Goodell. 

Apl.  17, 

**.    19,  Josiah  Rawson. 

"    25, 

"    24,  E.  Rawson's  child. 

May    2, 

"     30,  Capt.  Jonathan  Gale. 

"      6, 

April  2,  Old  Mrs.  Mallard. 

"    21, 

June  22,  Samuel   Lesure's   daugh- 

Oct.    2, 

ter. 

Nov.  20, 

Sept.  4,  Mrs.  Ager's  child. 

"    27, 

Oct  21,  Thomas  Tuel. 

Nov.  26,  John  W.  Mayo. 

Dec.    6, 

Dec.     I,  Mrs.  Daniel  Cook. 

"    30, 

Mrs.  Samuel  Mayo. 

Semira  Cobb. 
Lydia  Streeter, 
Mr,  Isaiah  Fuller. 
Perez  Allen's  child. 
Jno.  Moore,  Jr.'s,  wife. 
Ebenezer  Pierce's  wife. 
Mr.  Thomas  Gould. 

Jno.  Moore,  Jr.'s,  son. 
Joseph  Severy. 
Rich.  Waistcoat's  child. 
Seneca  Whitney. 

Mr. Thornton. 

Mr.  Abijah  Fisher. 
Mr.  Jacob  White. 
Lewis  At  wood. 
James  Ball's  son. 
Captain  Elisha  Hunt    of 

Northfield. 
Mr.  Griffith,  State  paup. 
Joel  Jennings's  child. 


APPENDIX. 


215 


1811. 
Feb.    4,  Mr.  Daniel  Cook. 

"     24,  Fanny  Ball. 

"     24,  Wm.  Burnet,  3d. 
Apl.  29,  Thomas  Bancroft's  wife. 
June  16,  Mr.  James  Stockwell. 

"    27,  Reuben  Gale. 
July    14,  Mrs.  Eaton. 
Aug.  17,  Richard  Waistcoat. 

"     29,  Mr.  William  Cobb. 
Sept.  21, Severence. 

"     29,  Mrs.  Johnson. 
Nov.    4,  Azariah  Barber's  wife. 

*'     28,  Jonathan      Goddard      of 
Orange,  by  hanging  him- 
self on  an  apple-tree. 
Dec.  14,  Nancy  Moore,  at  Brook- 
line. 

"     17,  Capt.  Charles  Rich. 
1812. 
Jan.      7,  Fanny  Bancroft. 
Feb.     5,  Mrs.  Jonas  Clark. 

"      6,  Old  Mr.  Weeks. 

"      6,  Mrs. Stone. 

Mar.    7,  Old  Mrs.  Bass. 

"     12,  Mrs.  Martha  Conant,  aged 
59  yrs.  8  mos. 

"    31,  Mr.  Enoch  Kilton,  aged 
■  86  years. 
April   9,  Mrs.  Nathan  Kilton. 

*'     17,  Joseph  Willson's  wife. 
May   16,  Polly  Fay. 
June     4,  Eph.  Robbins,  Jr.'s,  wife. 

"      6,  Med.  Pomeroy,  Jr.'s,  son. 

"     13,  Eunice  Leonard. 

"     22,  Polly  Bowman. 
July  31,  Rev.  Samuel  Reed. 
Nov.    3,  Patience  Barber. 

"     20,  Jos.  Williams,  Jr.'s,  wife. 

1813. 
Jan.      4,  Mr.  Hen.  Field  of  North- 
field. 


Jan.    17,  Betsey  Whitney. 
Mar.    6,  Samuel  Moore's  child. 

"    31,  Levi  Maynard's  wife. 
May     4,  Sibil  Leonard. 
June    3,  Mrs.  H.  G.  Stevens. 
July    19,  David  Ball's  son. 

"     30,  Francis  Leonard's  second 
daughter. 
Aug.  26,  Ebenr.  Bancroft's  wife. 

1 8 14. 
Feb.    16,  Mr.  Samuel  Eveleth. 

*'     17,  Mrs.  Rawson. 

"     19,  Abner  Goodell's  son. 
Mar.  1 1,  Joshua  Atwood's  wife. 
June    5,  Wm.  Lewis's  dau. 

"      8,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Bancroft. 

"     24,  Old  Mrs.  Proctor. 
Oct.   23,  Mr.  Minard,  glassblower. 
Nov.    4,  L.  N.  Wood's  son. 

"     27,  Daniel  Peck  of   Royals- 
ton,  74  yrs. 
Dec.  15,  Olive  Cook. 

"     29,  Elona  Daniels. 
1815. 
Jan.    II,  Dea.  Benjamin  Conant. 
Feb.     3,  Eunice  Leonard,  6  mos. 

'*      4,  Old  Mrs.  Stearns.       * 

"     12,  Mr.  Jesse  Warrick. 
Apl.   16,  Mrs.  Taylor,  wife  of  Wal- 
ter. 
1816. 
Nov.  13,  Francis  Leonard,  6  mos. 

**     17,  Job  Maycumber. 

"     27,  Old  Mrs.  Jennings. 
Dec.  20,  Melinda  Daniels,  24  yrs. 

1817. 
Jan.    10,  Mrs.  Cobb. 
Feb.     7,  Phillip  Atwood's  wife. 

"     15,  Ephraim  Tuel. 
Mar.     5,  Mr.  Jacob  Rich. 

"     22,  Josiah    Proctor's     infant 
child. 


2l6 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


Mar.  23,  Daniel  Collar's  child. 

Feb.     19,  Old  Mr.  Bachelder. 

"     25,  Mr.  Robert  Eaton,  83  yrs. 

Mar.  21,  Benj.  Lincoln  Bangs. 

April   3,  Joseph  Barber's  wife. 

"    30,  Mr.  Jacob  Packard. 

June  18,  Mr.  Jesse  Gale. 

Apr.     6,  Widow  Clarissa  Gale. 

"     18,  Mr.  Jno.  Shepardson. 

Sept.    I,  Mrs.  Elona  Conant. 

Aug.  19,  Rev.  P.  Smith's  daughter, 

Oct.     6,  Asa  Thayer's  wife. 

born  and  died. 

"     23,  Elijah  Fisk's  wife. 

Sept.  13,  Mercy  Conant. 

1821. 

"     18,  Dr.  Lemuel  Barnard,  81 

Jan.   24,  J.  Williams,  Jr.'s,  wife. 

yrs. 

May     I,  Mary  Whitney. 

Dec.     8,  Henry  Burnet. 

"      3,  Mr.  Daniel  Whitney. 

1818. 

June    5,  Capt.  Asa  Thayer. 

Jan.    12,  Benj.  Hastings,  suicide. 

Aug.  17,  Mr,  Josiah  Pomeroy,  80 

Feb.     3,  Moses    Leonard,  81  yrs. 

years. 

6  days. 

Sept.    5,  Old  Mrs.  Goldsbury. 

«     17,  Mrs.  Litchfield. 

1822. 

May     5,  Samuel  Barnes's  wife. 

Jan.      I,  Mr.  Zacheriah  Barber. 

Sept.  25,  Lucy  Leonard,  27  yrs. 

"      5,  Widow  Lydia  Fisher,  38 

Dec   17,  Ezekiel  Cook,  39  yrs. 

years. 

"    21,  Mrs.  Hurd. 

"       5,  Mr.  David  Perry. 

1819. 

Mar.     2,  Daniel  M.  Johnson. 

Jan.    13,  Joseph  Steven's  wife,  22 

June  16,  Mrs.  Bebe  Smith. 

years. 

Dec.  17,  Wid.  Anna  Leonard,  77 

Apr.  12,  David  Ball's  wife. 

years. 

"     18,  Nancy  Bangs. 

1823. 

May  31,  Melinda  Knolton. 

Jan.      I,  Old  Mrs.  Wheelock. 

Junft  12,  Old  Mr.  Fay,  79  years. 

Mar.   17,  Wm.  Tripp,  killed  by  a 

July   31,  Amos  Fisher,  drowned. 

tree. 

Aug.    4,  Stephen  Cobb. 

"    21,  Sarah  Cobb. 

'•     28,  Olive  Howard. 

Apr.     6,  Mrs.  Hannah  Bishop. 

Sept.    7,  Mr.  Moses  Fisher. 

June  20,  Mrs.  Mason. 

Oct.   21,  Mrs.  Patty  Blake,  33  yrs. 

"     28,  Mr.  Joshua  Atwood. 

"    28,  Dr.  Medad  Pomeroy,  83 

July  20,  Mrs.  Sally  Proctor. 

years. 

"     23,  Mrs.  Sally  Conant. 

Nov.  27,  Benj.  Simond's  wife. 

Aug.    4,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Stearns. 

Dec.  21,  Mr.  Samuel  Bowman,  70 

"     13,  Old  Mrs.  Perry. 

years. 

Sept.    2,  Maria  Mayo.                      ^ 

1820. 

Dec.  18,  Joseph  Metcalf,  Esq. 

Jan.      3,  Roxana  Allen. 

1824. 

"     17,  Mr.  N.  Cook,  71  years. 

Mar.    2,  Mrs.  Bowman. 

"     19,  Mrs.  Jackson. 

May  29,  Old  Mrs.  Delvee. 

Feb,   14,  Harriet  Draper. 

July  31,  Harriet  Leonard. 

APPENDIX. 


217 


Sept.    6, 

"     20, 

Oct.    31, 

Nov.    6, 

•      "     12, 

1825. 
Feb.  14, 
"     19, 

"     19, 

"  20, 
Mar.     2, 

May  23, 
June     5, 

"  5, 
July    19, 

"  21, 
Sept.  12, 
Dec.  21, 

"    27, 
1826. 
Jan.    12, 
Feb.     3, 

Mar.  19, 
Apr.  15, 
May    15, 

Aug.  2, 
"  21, 
"    25, 

Sept.  9, 
"    29, 

Oct.  12, 
1827. 

Mar.  13, 

May  13, 


Mr.  Richard  Cobb. 
Widow  Sarah  Whitney. 
Mr.  Daniel  Wiswell. 
Lois  Whitney. 
James  B.  Leonard. 

Mrs.  Sibil  Smith. 

Mr.    Wm.    Simonds,    63 

years. 

Gen.    Arad     Hunt     of 

Vernon. 
Old  Mrs.  Goodell. 
Mr.  Lemuel  Hastings  of 

Greenfield. 
Mr.  Samuel  Mayo. 
Mr.  Daniel  Bancroft. 
Mrs.  Esther  Russell. 
Mrs.  Gardner. 
John  Bunyan  Penniman. 
Capt.  John  Pratt. 
Mrs.  Polly,  wife  of  Sam'l 

Williams. 
Mr.  Samuel  Lesure. 

Mr.  Abel  Eddy. 

Samuel  Reed,  at  Green- 
field. 

Mrs.  Betsy  Delvee. 

Jas.  Ball's  wife,  suicide. 

Samuel  Barnes,  at  New 
Salem. 

Wilder  Stevens,  79  yrs. 

Capt.  Lesure's  wife. 

Joel  Mayo's  wife,  41  yrs. 

Henry  Leiand,  76  yrs. 

John  Batcheller,  80  yrs. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Hazeltine. 


May  15,  Sally  Hastings. 

"     21,  Betsey  H.   Ball,  --dau.  of 
Stephen. 
July      8,  Lyman  Knolton. 
Aug.    6,  Lieut.    Ebenr.     Steam's 
child. 
15,  Fanny  Cook. 
6,  James  Stockwell. 


Oct. 
Dec. 

1828. 
Jan.      5, 

"       5 
Feb.   12 


David  Burnett's  wife. 
Betsey    Blake,    wife 
Samuel. 


of 


Mr.  Jonathan  Moore. 

Mrs.  David  Rich. 

Deacon  Eben'r  Pierce. 

Mrs.  Lucy  Fay. 
Oct.   30,  Widow  Jones. 
Nov.     5,  John  Whitney,  Jr.'s,  child. 


Old  Mrs.  Bangs. 


Dec.    17, 

1829. 
Mar.    17,  Jos.Goodell,  about94yrs. 
"     20,  Harriet,    dau.    of  A.    K. 

Whitney. 
"     21,  Mrs.     Burnett,     wife     of 
Andrew. 
10,  Mary  Fuller. 
6,  Asa  Atwood's  wife. 
ID,  Mason,    son    of   Joseph 
Leonard,  Jr. 


May 
July 
Dec. 

1830. 
Jan. 


4,  Joel    Pierce,   two    infant 
children. 
"       5,  Mrs.  Tryphena  Dutton. 
"     18,  Mrs.  Lydia  Pierce. 
May  20,  Levi  Stearns  (town  pau.) 
July     3,  Mrs.  Allen,  wife  of  Cal- 
vin Allen. 
Oct.  16,  Henry  Fuller. 
Nov.  13,  Mrs.  Francis  Leonard. 
Dec.   17,  Hannah  Whitney,  26  yrs. 

1831. 
Feb.   21,  George  Mason. 
Mar.    8,  Capt.  Eleazer  Wheelock, 
81  yrs. 


2l8 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Mar    29,  Mr.  Reuben  Wheaton. 
Apr.  28,  Jane  Kendrick  (pauper). 
May  II,  Hannah  Fuller. 
July  25,  Eunice  Morse. 
Aug.    I,  William,  son  of  Charles 
C.  Cobb. 
"       5,  Serepta  Wyman. 
•*       6,  David  Rich's  child,  i  yr. 
"     10,  Abel  Sanger,  38  yrs. 
"     13,  John      Whitney,       Jr.'s, 

youngest  child.  1 

"     15,  Mrs.  Sarah  Blake,  80  yrs.  ; 
8  mos.  ! 

"     19,  John  Whitney,  Jr.'s,  dau.  | 
"     19,  Nancy  Bowman,  42  yrs. 
"     19,  John  Bowman's  child.        | 
"     21,  Mehetable    Kelton,  wife 
of  Thomas,  84   yrs,   7 
mos. 
"    23,  Hannah  Holden. 
"     30,  Mr.  John  Bowman, 
"    30,  A  child  of  Mr.  John  Bow- 
man. 
Sept.    2,  Wid.  Mary  Fuller,  80  yrs. 
"       8,  Rebecca  Perry,  3  yrs.        | 
Clark  Ware,  24  yrs.  1 

Mr.  Isaac  Hastings. 
Mrs.    Whitney,    wife    of 

John,  Jr. 
Mrs.    Rebecca    Packard 

(pauper). 
Charles  E,,  son  of  Alex-  | 
ander  Blake,  23  mos.      i 

Elisha  M.  Davis's  child. 
Mr.  Asa  Conant,  82  yrs. 
Ebenr.  Barber's  child. 
Justus  Russell,  Jr.,  3 1  yrs. 
Mr.    Samuel   Abbott,  39 
yrs. 
23,  Mr.  Shelding's  child. 


(< 
<< 

14, 
25. 

27, 

Oct. 

9, 

<( 

25, 

1832. 
Feb,    II, 

Mar. 

21, 

5, 

5, 
18, 

Mar.  27,  Capt.    Mark    Moore,    83 

yrs. 
Apr,   13,  Mr.    Nathl.  G.    Stevens, 
80  yrs. 
'•    30,  John  C.  Miller  (pauper). 
May    14,  Mr.  Amaziah  Kelton. 
June     6,  Ebenr.  Barber's  wife. 

"  21,  Old  Mrs.  Burnett. 
July  29,  Josiah  Proctor,  Jr. 
Aug.  31,  Col.  Abner  Goodell,    50 

yrs. 
Sept.   6,  David  Burnett's  child. 
Oct.  30,  Old  Mrs,  Pomroy,  86  yrs. 

1833- 
Mar.     7,  Mr,  Thomas    Hurd,    74 

yrs, 
Apr.    4,  Abijah  Fisher,  76  yrs. 
July     5,  Mrs.  Fanny  Whipple. 
"     18,  Mr.  Nathan  Leonard,  70 

yrs. 
"     22,  Old       Mrs.        Thankful 
White  (pauper). 
Aug.  14,  Old  Mrs.  Robbins,  89  yrs. 
Nov.    4,  Old  Mrs.  Richards. 
"     20,  Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Page,  23 
yrs. 
Dec.  II,  John  Pierce  of  Dorches- 
ter, 91  yrs. 


1834. 

Jan.   25, 

Old  Mr.  Samuel  Moses's 

wife. 

May  30, 

Jona,  Delvee,  Jr,'s,  child. 

June  II, 

Elvira  Leonard. 

Aug.    7, 

Joseph  G.  Whitney. 

"     15, 

Rev.  Preserved  Smith,  75 

yrs. 

"    21, 

Mary  Atwood. 

1835- 

Jan.      7, 

Isaac  Pierce,  71  yrs. 

Mar.    3, 

Mrs.  Jerusha  Ball,  wife  of 

Joseph  Ball. 

APPENDIX. 


219 


Mar.    9,  Mrs.  Griffith  (pauper). 
"     24,  Mr.  William  Burnett,  93 
yrs. 
Apr.  29,  Mr.  Henry  Fuller,  55  yrs. 
July   18,  Mr?.  Tryphena  Smith,  34 

yrs. 
Aug.  29,  Wid.  Lois  Fisher, 
Dec.     I,  Mrs.  Betsey  Bass,  by  sui- 
cide. 
"       6,  Mrs.  Nancy  Willson. 
1836. 
Mar.   4,  John  Ball,  Jr.,  by  suicide. 
"     23,  Mr.  Abijah  Eddy,  60  yrs. 
Oct.     8,  Mr.  Jonathan  Blake,   87 

yrs.  9  mos.  8  days. 
Dec.  24.  Mary  Ann  Fisher  (pau.) 

1837. 
Jan.      I,  Harris  Fuller,  27  yrs. 

"     27,  Patty  Brown. 
Mar.  19,  Wid.  Rebecca  Moore,  88 

yrs. 
May  19,  Mr.  Jonas    Leonard,    91 

yrs. 
June    3,  Henry  H.  Conant^  9  mos 
Oct.  20,  Dea.    Ebenezer    Stearns, 
60  yrs. 
1838. 
Apr.    8,  Mrs.  Betsey  Ball,  56  yrs. 
May  20,  Daniel  Green's  youngest 
child. 
*•     27,  Samuel      G.     Robbins's 
child. 
July      5,  Mr.  Stephen  Ball,  63  yrs 

"       7,  Daniel  Green's  child. 
Aug.   17,  Asa  H.  Conant's  child. 
Sept     4,  Sally  Mayo,  54  yrs. 
Oct,    13,  David    Gale,    Jr.'s,    son 
Amos. 
"     20,  David  Gale,  Jr.'s,  young- 
est child. 
1839. 
Jan.      2,  Emily  P.  White. 


Jan.    10,  David  Godard's  wife. 

"     25,  Rhoda  Cook 
Feb.  13,  Wid.  Polly  Drake,  47  yrs. 

Sept.    8,  Wid. Rich. 

"     26,  Nancy   Blake,   51    yrs,  6 
mos.  20  days. 
Oct.    18,  Capt.    Joseph    Ball,    50 
yrs.,  fell  from  the  bridge 
at  Miller's  River  when 
raising  it. 
1840. 
Feb,     I,  Samuel  Cobb,  57  yrs. 
Mar.  23,  Wid.  Nathaniel  Stearns, 

86  yrs. 
Aug.  24,  Mrs.  H.  Barber,  wife  of 
Dea.  Hervey,  27^  yrs. 
4,  Martha  Proctor,  at  New 

Salem. 
4,  Elizabeth    Wellman,   38 
yrs. 
8,  Samuel     Manning's     dau. 

Elizabeth,  3  yrs. 
I. 
15,  Melissa  Harvey,  12  yrs. 

28,  Wid. Ager,  70  yrs. 

22,  Joseph  Williams,  78  yrs. 
27,  Capt.   Daniel   H.  Smith, 
65  yrs. 
Mar.   14,  James  H.  Horton's  child, 
about  8  mos. 
"     17,  Dea.  Samuel  Ball,  72  yrs. 
Apr.    13,  Mrs.  John  Ball. 
June  20,  Mrs.   Icibinda  Williams, 

40  yrs.  8  mos. 
July    20,  Mr.  David  Gale,  73  yrs. 
Aug.     6,  Capt,  Cummings  Lesure. 
55  yrs. 

I, Severence,  18  yrs, 

8,  Mr,  Jonas  Houghton,  50 

yrs. 
9,  Mrs,  Mary  Baker,  wife  of 
Isaac,  27  yrs. 


Oct. 


Dec. 


184 
Jan. 
« 

Feb. 


Sept. 
Oct. 


220 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Oct.     9,  Miss     Anna     Whipple, 
dau.     of     Henry,      19 
years. 
1842. 
Feb.   12,  Mrs.    Sarah     Severy,    a 
town  pauper,  very  aged. 
"     26,  Col.  Lemuel    W^heelock, 
51  yrs. 
May    4,  Mrs.  Hannah  Smith,  wife 

of  Jehiel. 
June  21,  Israel  Fisher,  83  yrs. 
Aug.  29,  Samuel       T.       Delvee's 
youngest  child. 
"     30,  Mr.  Morgan's  child. 
Sept.  16,  Gardner  P.  Mills's  child. 
*•     24,  Gardner  P.  Mills's  child. 
Dec.  21,  Mrs.  Grout  (wife  of  Har- 
ry). 
1843. 
Jan.     6,  Dea.  Francis  Leonard,  65 
yrs. 
"     25,  Mr.  Elias  Knowlton.  | 

Feb.     4,  Artemas  B.  Fuller's  wife,  j 
23  yrs. 
"       8,  Franklin  Gould,  4  yrs. 
"     22,  Henry  Hatch,  16  yrs. 
Mar.     6,  Elisha    Severy,  a    town 
pauper. 
"       6,  Fidelia  Smith. 
"       6,  Alfred  Moore. 
"     20,  Timothy  Stevens's  young- 
est child. 
June      2,  Mr.  Henry  Hastings. . 
"     25,  Mr.  William  Hastings. 
"     28,  Mr.  Daniel  Johnson,  by 
suicide. 
Aug.     2,  Mr.   Philip    Atwood,  84 

yrs.  7  mos.  2  days. 
Nov.  24,  Miss  Lucy  Wheelock,  57 
yrs. 
1844. 
Jan.     6,  Foster  Bowman,  18  yrs. 


Jan.    17,  Mr.  Thomas  Mallard,  Jr., 

47  ys.   ■ 

Feb.     3,  Charles      Mutchens,     at 
Hawley,  15  yrs. 
"     19,  Mrs.  Smith. 
Mar.  24,  Christopher      Columbus 
Wheaton  Merrifield. 
"    30,  George  King. 
Apr.     5,  Wid.  Sarah  Moore. 

"       5,  Infant     child      of    

Houghton. 
"    20,  Calvin  W.  Delvee's  dau.  ' 
May    12,  Mr.  Abram  Felton. 
June     I,  Timothy  F.    Phillips,  37 
yrs. 
"      9,  Hannah  D.  Leonard. 
Aug.  24,  Mrs.  Nancy  Fay,  63  yrs. 
Sept.  30,  Wid.  Anna  Reed,  88  yrs. 
Oct.    16,  Joseph  Delvee's  wife. 
"     17,  Joseph    Delvee's    infant 

child. 
"     21,  Lorenzo  Bancroft,  29  yrs. 
Dec.     6,  Mr.  Jonas    Leonard,    60 
yrs. 
1845. 
Feb.    8,  Azariah  Barber,  65  yrs. 
"     16,  David  Howland  Goodell, 
2  yrs.  5  mos.  12  days. 
Mar.  29,  Mrs.      Fisher      (wid.    of 

Israel),  78  yrs. 
May  12,  Wid.  Beulah  Cook. 
"     23,  Wid.  Mary  Kilburn. 
July    13,  Elihu  Gould. 
Sept.    9,  Mrs.  Susannah  Cobb,  95 
yrs.  6  mos. 
"     28,  George    Chesebro's     in- 
fant child. 
"     29,  Mr.  John  Green. 
1846. 
Jan.    17,  Austin  Mallard,  25  yrs. 

'■'     18,  Harriet  Thayer. 
May      6, Gilbert. 


APrENDIX. 


221 


May     7,  John    Brown's    wife,   by  '  Sept.  17,  Thomas  Blake,  66  yrs.  4 
suicide.  mos. 


June  28,  Sam.  Blake's  wife,  at  Low- 
ell, 43  yrs.  5  mos.6  days. 
Sept.    8,  Calvin      W.        Delvee's 
child,  2  yrs. 
"       9,  Philander  Pierce's  child, 
16  mos. 


Oct.     4,  Frederic  B.   Blake,,  i   yr. 
8  mos. 
"      8,  Henry  D.  Green  (son  of 

Joseph). 
'*     22,  John  B.  Blake,  20  yrs.  9 
mos.  28  days. 


DEATHS   IN   WARWICK, 

From  Jan.  i,  1847,  to  1872. 

Taken  from  the  Diary  of  Dea.  Hervey  Barber,  as  a  continuation  of  those 
taken  from  that  of  Hon.  J.  Blake. 


1847 
Feb. 
Mar. 
Apr. 
June 
July 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 
1848 
Apr. 


May 

June 


Yrs. 

5,  Mrs.  Martha  Sanger,  47 

3,  Stephen  Reed,  56 

22,  Saml.  F.  Taylor,  24 

14,  Medad  Pomeroy,  70 

4,  Ebenr.  Rich,  51 

15,  Parley  Leland,  75 

23,  Eldad  Hodge,  57 

24,  Sarah  Stevens,  17 
3,  Wid.  Hannah  Hough- 
ton, 50 

II,  Dea.  James  Blake,  ']Tj 

15,  Timothy  H.  Barber,  6 

25,  Wid.  Betsey  Gould,  51 

I,  Wid.  Jerusha  Golds- 
bury,  74 
17,  David  Goddard,  41 

27,  Enoch  Robbins,  83 

28,  Mrs.  Ann  L.  Ball,  23 

16,  Wid.  Hannah  Whit- 

ney, 67 

19,  Elijah  Fisk,  74 
19* 


July  30,  Miss  Abigail  Barber,  53 
Aug.  2,  Joseph  Delvee,  45 
"  26,  Bunyan  Penniman,  76 
Oct.  I,  Thomas  Mallard,  87 
Nov.  22,  Ashbill  Ward,  Esq.,  72 
Dec.  29,  Mrs.  Ephraim  Rob- 
bins,  69 

1849. 
Feb.  21,  Dau.  of  C.  M.  Proc- 
ter, 3 
I      *'     23,  Wid.  Hammond,  77 
Mar,     I,  Obadiah  Bass,  72 
I      "     29,  Mrs.  Mary  Holton,  33 
Apr.    24,  Mrs   Lavina  Conant,  44 
I  May     9,  Wid.  Esther  Fuller,  66 
I      "       9,  Dau.  of  Chas.  Pom- 
roy,  7  mos. 
"      9,  Endracas  Wheeler,  48 
June  27,  Daniel  Evans,  45 
"    28,  Miss  Esther  Smith,  24 
Aug.  26,  Son  of  Tim.  Moore, 

10  mos. 
Sept.  21,  Miss  Parmelia  Moore,  21 
"    22,  Mrs.  Elizaoeth  Taylor,  32 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Dec. 

15,  Ephraim  Robbins, 

73 

July     8, 

1850. 

♦'    26, 

June 

23,  Miss  Ann  Whitney, 

40 

"    31, 

July 

27,  Mrs.  Simonds  Smith, 

34 

Aug.  13, 

Aug. 

I,  Daniel  Holman, 

68 

"    22, 

" 

13,  Wid.  Jerusha  Pomroy,  65 

Sept.  13, 

Sept. 

19,  Dau.    of  F.    C.  Tay- 

"   29, 

lor,  2  mos. 

Nov.  13, 

Oct 

27,  Wid.  Nabby  Wheaton 

.76 

"    23, 

Nov. 

6,  Joseph  Stevens,  Esq., 

59 

Dec.  22, 

Dec. 

15,  Jonathan  Delvee, 

80 

'•    25, 

185 

[. 

1853. 

Jan. 

16,  Mrs.  JonathanWhee- 

Jan.  25, 

lock, 

71 

« 

24,  Mrs.  A.  H.  Whitney, 

70 

Mar.  26, 

Apr. 

9,  Wid.  Polly  Delvee, 

80 

Apr.     3, 

" 

14,  Mrs.  L.  F.  Bur  rage, 

44 

May  15, 

May 

12,  Nahum  Grout, 

83 

« 

13,  Mrs.  Elisha  M.  Davis 

41 

"     23, 

June 

22,  James  Fuller, 

58 

June  12, 

Aug. 

6,  Miss  Alma  Gale, 

19 

"     17, 

Sept. 

2,  Mrs.  John  Morgan, 

26 

-     22, 

<( 

22,  Son  of  Benj.  Davi.s, 

6 

Aug.  21, 

Nov. 

I,  Laban  Simonds, 

69 

Sept.    4, 

(( 

28,  Son  of  John  Whipple 

H 

Nov.  17, 

Dec. 

21,  Dau.  of  Ansel  Davis, 

1854. 

6  mos. 

Feb.  27, 

185 

2. 

Mar.    3, 

Jan. 

12,  Miss  Sarah  Leonard, 

39 

"     10, 

13,  Mrs.  David  Gale,  jun 

23 

<( 

15,  Mrs.  Josiah  Conant, 

88 

"     29, 

<( 

16,  Phinehas  Child,  jun. 

48 

May    15, 

Feb. 

21,  Mrs  Melzar  Williams 

.46 

"     29, 

Mar. 

4,  Martha  Delvee, 

8 

June  26, 

(( 

6,  Son  of  Ansel  Davis, 

3 

July    24, 

May 

I,  Jonathan  Wheelock, 

72 

June 

6,  Elkanah  Whipple, 

75 

Aug.     2, 

(( 

9,  Miss  Betsey  Delvee, 

22 

"       5, 

(( 

22,  Mrs.  Czarina  Wheeler,  29 

"     12, 

(( 

26,  Henry  Barnard,  Esq., 

83 

Oct.   22, 

July 

6,  James  Hoi  ton. 

70 

•*    30» 

Mrs.  Lydia  Smith,  63 

Mrs.  Maria  Fisher,  26 

Geo.  F.  Taylor,  9 

Miss  Rhoda  Cook,  83 

Mrs   Susanna  Child,  79 

Miss  Lucy  Orcutt,  22 

Amory  Gale,  76 

James  Holmes,  71 

Mrs.  Fanny  Barber,  33 

Mrs.  Nathan  Atwood,  58 

Jonathan  Moore,  76 

Son  of  James  Stock- 
well,  22  mos. 
Samuel  Ball,  57 
Mrs.  Bulah  Eddy,  69 
Mrs.  Robert  Adam- 
son,  34 
Mason  Davis,  9 
William  Cobb,  Esq.  83 
Miss  Maria  Williams,  20 
Elisha  Brown,  8i 
Mrs.  Asa  H.  Conant,  39 
Mrs.  Geo.  Dudley,  22 
Miss  Lydia  Jones,  79 

Mrs.  Nathan  C.  Morse,  71 

Mrs,  Clark  Stearns,  33 
An  infant  son  of  N. 

E  Stevens,  2  days. 

Amos  H.  Whitney,  79 

Elizabeth  Adams,  12 

Ezekiel  Nelson,  78 

Mrs.  Ivers  Creed,  40 
Anna     S.      Barber, 

22  mos. 

Mrs.  Ruth  Owen,  22 

Mrs.  S.  C.  Reed,  25 
S.  Switzer  Goldsbury,  20 

Dau.  of  Mr.  Henry,  i 

Eunice  Stearns,  84 


APPENDIX 

223 

Dec. 

[0,  Mrs.  Daniel  Whitte- 

Sept. 

18, 

Jonas  Conant, 

81 

more, 

75 

Oct. 

9, 

Miss  Martha  Moore, 

37 

" 

12,  Son       of      Franklin 

Dec. 

7, 

Justus  Russell,  Esq., 

85 

Whitney,  8  weeks. 

1857 

« 

19,  Daniel  Whittemore, 

84 

Jan. 

12, 

Mrs.  Paul  Jillson, 

64 

(( 

23,  Asa  Atwood, 

71 

(( 

20, 

Stephen  Johnson, 

79 

1855. 

Mar. 

25, 

Albert  Lawrence, 

21 

Jan. 

9,  Mrs.  David  Gale, 

84 

Apr. 

2, 

Seth  Woodward, 

55 

" 

12,  Joseph  Draper, 

81 

June 

6, 

Mrs.  Barnard  Fisher, 

35 

" 

19,  Josiah  Conant, 

91 

(( 

18, 

Miss  Lucy  Shepard- 

" 

19,  Widow  of  Thos.Mal- 

son, 

69 

lard,  jun., 

56 

Aug. 

9, 

Miss  Luthera  Whee- 

Mar. 

27,  Widow    of  Elkanah 

lock, 

60 

Whipple, 

n 

Sept. 

I, 

Miss  Ellen  Bass, 

22 

Apr. 

I,  Mrs.  Asa  Bancroft, 

68 

" 

7, 

Ephraim  Morgan, 

93 

May 

4,  Dau.    of    Philander 
Pierce,  11  mos. 

Oct. 
.  185^ 

3» 

Mrs.  Henry  Barnard, 

83 

June 

23,  Caleb  Weeks, 

79 

Jan. 

29, 

Mrs.  Elkanah  Whip- 

<( 

25,  Caleb  Hastings, 

66 

ple, 

67 

July 

4,  Son  of  Alfred  Brown 

Apr. 

2j 

Mrs. Burnham, 

54 

2  mos. 

May 

18, 

Wid.  Stephen  John- 

Aug. 

8,  Miss  Lucy  Eddy, 

79 

son, 

75 

" 

31,  Ichabjd  Whipple, 

58 

" 

3i> 

Mrs.  Wm.  Lawrence 

46 

Sept. 

18,  Rufus  Knight, 

62 

June 

24, 

Mrs.  Elijah  Davis, 

78 

" 

25,  A.  Baker  Fuller, 

40 

July 

14, 

Wid.  Amariah  Kelton 

,74 

Dec. 

6,  Wid.  Amory  Gale, 

80 

Sept. 

29, 

Lemuel  Scott, 

33 

Oct. 

13,  Sarah  Shepardson, 

16 

Oct. 

^> 

H.  G.  Mallard,  Esq., 

29 

1856. 

«* 

12, 

Edward  Hastings, 

28 

Mar. 

14,  Mrs.  S.  W.  Gillson, 

44 

" 

21, 

Wid.  Perley  Leland, 

85 

" 

18,  Son  of  Richard  .Weeks 

,10 

(( 

22, 

Benjamin  Drake, 

44 

Apr. 

8,  Miss  Ann  Ward, 

27 

Nov. 

20, 

Jehiel  Smith, 

69 

« 

9,  Mrs.  Alexander  Blake 

,53 

Aug. 

29, 

Miss  Anna  Goss, 

74 

(( 

28,  Dea.  Sylvanus  Ward, 

54 

1859. 

May 

5,  Wid.  Sylvanus  Ward, 

54 

Jan. 

17 

Laban  Simonds, 

n 

June 

I,  Son  of  S.  T.  Under- 
wood, I  day. 

Feb. 

18, 

Mrs.   Chas.  William 
Cobb, 

21 

July 

15,  Mrs.  John  Farnsworth 

,26 

Mar. 

7, 

Fannie  Phillips, 

17 

Aug. 

6,  Miss  Martha  Chase, 
30,  Mrs.    Hervey     Par- 

23 

(( 

16, 

Wid.     Seth    Wood- 
ward, 

58 

tridge, 

68 

u 

20, 

Mrs.  Hosea  Horton, 

70 

Sept. 

12,  Wid.  Daniel  Smith, 

76 

May 

27, 

Ansel  Davis, 

59 

224 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


June 

13,  Miss  Rhoda  Hodge, 

59 

Feb. 

24,  Willard  Packard, 

24 

July 

16,  Nathan  Atwood, 

70 

Mar 

12  and  17,  Son  and  dau. 

Aug. 

21,  Miss  Forbes, 

72 

of  Wm,  Ward. 

<( 

25,  Simeon  Stearns, 

80 

(( 

29,  Hervey  Partridge, 

72 

Nov. 

30,  Mrs.   Gushing    Lin- 

June 

20,  Wid.  of  Dea.  J.  Proc- 

coln, 

84 

tor, 

77 

i860. 

May 

9,  Wid.    Nathan    Leo- 

Jan. 

16,  Isaac  Hastings, 

74 

nard, 

88 

17,  Jona.  Gardner  Gale, 

18 

July 

26,  Stanley  Gushing, 

19 

May 

31,  Mrs.  Almira  Fry, 

42 

Aug. 

9,  Mrs.  Joseph  Wilson, 

67 

July 

20,  Mrs.    Elizabeth     C. 

Sept. 

2,  Mrs.  Philander  Pierce 

43 

Bird, 

50 

(< 

28,  Francis  Moore, 

20 

Aug. 

31,  John  Smith, 

72 

Oct. 

8,  Wid.    Bunyan    Penni 

Oct. 

29,  Paul  Jillson, 

71 

man, 

88 

Nov. 

3,  Henry  Harvey, 

60 

« 

23,  Miss  Maria  Conant, 

43 

Aug. 

28,  Henry  Gale, 

13 

Nov. 

18,  Peter  Severance, 

47 

1861. 

Dec. 

21,  Frank  Pierce, 

21 

Jan. 

25,  Wid.  Stephen  Reed, 

69 

1863. 

i( 

27,  Sarah  Shepardson, 

16 

Feb 

2,  Samuel  Moore, 

67 

« 

28,  Jane  Shepardson, 

10 

Apr. 

13,  Aaron  Bass, 

80 

Feb. 

6,  Mrs.  Simon  P.  Shep- 

" 

25,  James  Chapin, 

20 

ardson, 

41 

« 

26,  Wid.  Field, 

83 

" 

20,  Nye  Shepardson, 

^3 

« 

27,  Mrs.  George  Jones, 

69 

Mar. 

5,  Miss  Sophia  Whitney,  83 

May 

4,  Miss  Fanny  Gould, 

69 

<. 

30,  Samuel  T  Delvee, 

68 

(( 

15,  Mrs.  Lafayette  Nelson 

»3o 

July 

20,  Henry  C.  Conant, 

23 

i< 

22,  Miss  Hannah  Burnett 

,23 

Aug. 

I,  Mrs.  Josiah  Conant, 

59 

« 

23,  David  Gale, 

68 

« 

II,  Ira  Ager, 

53 

June 

28,  Jacob  S.  Rayner,  jun., 

18 

« 

II,  Elijah  Davis, 

87 

July 

7,  Abbie  J.  Reed, 

6 

« 

31,  Mrs.  Q.  M.  Morgan, 

47 

" 

8,  Warren  Blake, 

20 

Oct 

2,  Wid.  James    Stock- 

Aug. 

14,  Wid.  Jonas  Leonard, 

76 

well, 

78 

<( 

25,  John  Caldwell, 

20 

K 

21,  Dau.  of  Saml.  Reed, 

Sept 

I,  Edmund  Coller, 

20 

3  weeks. 

Oct. 

15,  Munro  Patridge, 

21 

Nov, 

9,  Gushing  Lincoln, 

87 

« 

27,  Lafayette  Nelson, 

36 

" 

24,  Wid.  John  Bowman, 

63 

« 

27,  Wid.  Elias  Knowlton 

86 

Dec. 

26,  Jasper  H.  Leland, 

27 

1864. 

K 

31,  John  Stearns, 

81 

Jan. 

22,  Hattie  Phillips, 

16 

1862. 

<( 

29,  Geo.  W.  Howard, 

49 

Jan. 

8,  Wid.  Elisha  Brown, 

88 

Feb. 

8,  Miss  Lydia  Ball, 

82 

Feb. 

24,  Leander  Jillson, 

18 

Mar. 

12,  Wid.  William  Cobb, 

91 

APPENDIX. 


225 


Apr.    6,  Joseph  B   Atvvood,  23 

May  10,  Ivers  Creed,  41 

June    4,  Wid.  James  Fuller,  72 

"     18,  Seth  A.  Woodward,  30 

July    13,  Lucy  Ann  Brown,  15 

Aug.  23,  James  D.  Delvee,  23 

Dec.   19,  A.  Shepard  Phillips,  14 

"     22,  Mrs.  Thomas  Chase,  72 

"    25,  Frederic  Gale,  10 

May          Joseph  W.  Sawyer,  19 

July          James  Henry  Fuller,  22 

1865. 

Jan.    27,  Joseph  W.  Ellis,  30 

Feb.  20,  Eben.  G.  Ball,  Esq.,  39 

"     28,  David  Ball,  85 

4,  Miss  Eliza  Shepard,  62 

9,  George  Cooper,  14 

7,  Harriet  Goldsbury,  22 
19,  Wid.  Caleb  Weeks,  84 
28,  Dr.  Amos  Taylor,  80 

4,  Wid.  Jona.  Moore,  76 
2,  Mrs.  Calvin  D.  Shep- 

ardson,  41 

8,  Sam.  W.  Goldsbury,  66 
I,  Ebenezer  Goodwin,  35 

Wid.  Samuel  Ball,  90 
Sam.  G.  Robbins,  jun.,  30 

Wid.  Peter  Sandin,  82 

Luther  Smith,  83 


Charles  Johnson,  12 

I,  Dau,  of  Stephen  John- 
son, 17  mos. 
Mr.  Franklin  Whitney,  46 
Mrs.  Harriet  Dill,         36 
Mrs.  Esther  Morton,     90 
Wid.  Simeon  Stearns,  79 
Wid.  Experience  Fisk,  82 
15,  Mrs.  Nath.  G.  Stevens,  77 
4,  Mrs.  Jona.    Shepard- 
son,  70 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May 

Aug. 


Sept. 


<t 

25. 

Dec. 

12, 

<( 

'>'> 

(( 

27, 

1866. 

Feb. 

3, 

u 

II, 

Apr. 

9, 

May 

II 

" 

12, 

Aug. 

5. 

(( 

II 

Oct. 


Nov.  23,  Alexander  Cooper,        43 

1867. 
June     2, 

July     7, 
Aug.  20, 

"      2-1, 


"       24, 

Aug.  30, 
Sept.  19, 

1868. 
Jan.   29, 

"  30. 
Feb.  18, 
Mar.   6, 

Apr.  2, 
June    4, 

"  6, 
Aug.  15, 

"     16, 

Sept.  5, 
"     12, 

Nov.  4, 
1869. 

Jan.     3, 

May     I, 

"  4, 
Aug.    7, 

"  10, 
Sept.  6, 
Nov.  25, 
Dec.     5, 

"     II, 

1870. 
Mar.  13, 
Apr.  6, 
June  19, 
July  10, 
Aug.  16, 

"  19, 
Oct.     5, 


Jasper  Lei  and, 
Benjamin  Conant, 
Aaron  Morse, 
Liberty  Patridge, 
William  Ward, 
Dea.  Joseph  Wilson, 
Miss  Tamar  Pickerin^ 


84 

91^ 
68 
81 

,74 


Mrs.  Henry  Atwood, 
Isaac  Hastings, 
Nath.  G.  Stevens, 
Miss  Polly  Gould, 
Willard  Forbes, 
Nathan  C.  Morse, 
Capt.  Asaph  Davis, 
Mrs.  Susie  E.  Davis, 
Dau.  of  A.  &  S.  E. 

Davis,  10  days. 
Henry  H.  Manning, 
Rev.  Roger  C.  Hatch,  84 
Richard  Weeks,  54 


24 


Sam.  Davis  Wheaton,  53 
Horatio  Holbrook,  63 
Dea.  Joel  Pierce,  78 

Mrs.  Susan  D.  Wilber,  37 
Widow  Rhoda  Barber,  82 
Miss  Fidelia  Proctor,  22 
Isaac  Whittemore,  70 
Mrs.  Artemas  Hawes,  55 
Wid.  Richard  Weeks,  50 

Miss  Polly  Conant,  78 

Josiah  Conant,  j;^ 

Wid.  Obadiah  Bass,  84 

Miss  Esther  Stevens,  81 

Wid.  Joseph  Delvee,  64 

Dea.  Danford  Tyler,  57 

Thomas  Chase,  80 


24 

Apr. 

20,  Wid.  Joel  Pierce, 

77 

72 

May 

13,  Mrs.  Tim.  Moore, 

55 

26 

June 

19,  Miss  Jane  E.  Bass, 

31 

July 

10,  Russell  Brown, 

80 

76 

14,  Mrs   Elisha  Brown, 

70 

Aug. 

I,  Miss  Jane  Spencer, 

65 

68 

Sept 

24,  Mrs.    E.   S.   Green- 

43 

leaf, 

31 

Oct. 

4,  David  Atherton, 

23 

78 

Nov. 

20,  Willis  W.  Johnson, 

26 

55 

1872. 

58 

Feb 

I,  Daniel  Pierce, 

50 

7o 

(( 

19,  George  Fisher, 

48 

69 

Mar. 

26,  Amos  0.  Bridge, 

57 

Apr. 

15,  Mrs.  Adeline  Pond, 

40 

88 

(( 

17,  J.  Wilson  Hastings, 

22 

73 

May 

15,  Harvey  Conant, 

61 

226  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


Oct.    18,  Geo.  Wm.  Barber, 

"    30,  Wid.  Sam.  Delvee, 
Nov.    2,  Mrs.  John  Grout, 
Dec.     5,  Wid.  Isaac  Whitte- 
more, 

1871. 
Jan.      2,  William  L.  Moore, 

"      2,  Mrs.  Otis  Conant, 
Feb.   13,  Wid.   Nancy  Merry- 
field, 

"     15,  James  S.  Wheeler, 

"    22,  Jacob  S.  Rayner, 
Mar.     7,  Wid.  Henry  Harvey, 

"    31,  Miss  Esther  Fuller,' 

Apr.     2,  Wid.  Rev.  J.  Shep- 

ardson, 

"     18,  Joshua  S.  Sanger, 


Whole  number  in  30  years,  504.  Average  age,  43^,  nearly.  Num- 
ber per  annum,  i6|.  Number  over  90  in  30  years,  10.  Number  over 
80  in  30  years,  49.  Number  over  70  in  30  years,  70.  Number  over 
the  age  allotted  to  man,  129  :  a  large  number,  truly,  —  partly  owing  to 
a  healthy  climate,  and  partly  to  the  fact  that  many  of  our  young  people 
remove  from  town. 

Our  town  has  been  considered  very  healthy,  as  the  loca- 
tion is  away  from  any  large  bodies  of  water  or  swamps  of 
any  considerable  size.  Most  of  its  territory  is  elevated  to 
quite  an  extent ;  the  air  is  consequently  pure  and  bracing  ; 
diseases  are  few  ;  the  people  industrious,  economical,  in- 
telligent, and  happy. 

As  a  reward  for  the  above  privileges  and  attainments,  they 
are  remarkably  healthy,  and  live  to  an  advanced  age,  enjoy- 
ing themselves,  and  retaining  their  faculties,  both  of  body 
and  mind.  We  have  now  living  in  town  four  persons  over 
ninety  years  of  age  :  three  of  them  are  natives  of  the  town  ; 
the  other  has  been  a  resident  over  sixty  years. 

There  are  fifteen  between  eighty  and  ninety,  and  twenty- 


APPENDIX. 


227 


seven  between  seventy  and  eighty,  in  a  population  of  less 
than  eight  hundred  inhabitants.  Their  names  and  ages  may 
be  found  in  the  following  columns  :  — 


Nantes  of  Males. 


Age. 


Phinehas  Child  (widower) 

95 

Samuel  Williams  (w.)      . 

91 

Ebenezer  Barber  (w.) 

81 

Edward  Goddard  (w.)     . 

81 

Jonathan  Shepardson  (w.) 

80 

Jesse  Gould  (single) 

80 

Henry  Whipple  (w.) 

79 

Gardner  Conant  (w.) 

78 

Rev.  John  Goldsbury 

n 

Harmon  Williams  . 

76 

James  Goldsbury 

75 

Ethan  Gushing, 

n 

Warren  Atwood 

73 

Harry  Grout  . 

80 

Ezekiel  Ellis  . 

80 

Amory  Gould 

73 

Melzar  Williams 

.    •    . 

71 

Rev.  Charles  Farrar 

70 

Dea.  Edward  Mayo 

.   70 

Elisha  Brown 

70 

Jarvis  Davis    . 

.   70 

Reuben  G.  Hammond     . 

.   70 

Males       . 

.  22 

Females  . 

.   24 

Total 


46 


Names  0/  Females. 

Age. 

Sarah  Leonard  (widow)  . 

94 

Elizabeth  Conant  (w.)     . 

91 

Sally  Morse  (w.)     . 

88 

Hannah  Stearns  (w.) 

85 

Rhoda  Wheelock  (w.)     . 

84 

Elizabeth  Ball  (w.) 

86 

Mary  Taylor  (w.)    . 

83 

Martha  Jennings  (w.)      . 

82 

Mary  Stevens  (single)     . 

82 

Augusta  Gale  (w.)  . 

82 

Clarissa  Gould 

80 

Sally  Holman  (w.)  . 

79 

Lydia  Moore  (w.)    . 

78 

Melinda  Reed  (w.)  . 

.     l(> 

Lydia  Ball  (w.) 

75 

Tamerzon  Ellis 

•     73 

Mary  Ellis  (s.) 

.     72 

Katharine  Smith  (w  ) 

.     72 

Lois  Smith  (w.) 

.    IZ 

Nancy  Fisher  (s.)     . 

•     71 

Thamar  Williams   . 

.     72 

Lucy  Atwood 

.     70 

Polly  Moore  (w.)     . 

.     70 

Clarissa  Brown  (w  ) 

.     74 

Females  . 

.     24 

Aggregate  ages,  3,585  years.  Average  age,  a  fraction  under  78  years. 
Twenty-two  males  and  twenty-four  females,  including  all  those  that 
have  nearly  completed  their  seventieth  year,  this  twentieth  day  of 
April,   1872. 


228 


HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


A  LIST  OF  NAMES 

OF    THE    OWNERS    OR   OCCUPIERS   OF   HOUSES   IN   WARWICK    IN    1 798, 
AS    RETURNED   BY   THE   ASSESSORS. 

[Copied  from  the  original  in  the  Library  of  the  New-England  His- 
toric-Genealogical Society,  Boston,  Mass.] 


Atwood,  Joshua 
Ball,  Jonas 
Ball,  Samuel,  sen. 
Ball,  James 
Ball,  Samuel,  jun. 
Bancroft,  William 
Bancroft,  Ebenezer 
Barns,  Abraham 
Barnes,  Lyman 
Bass,  Obadiah 
Barber,  Joseph 
Barber,  Zechariah 
Bangs,  Isaiah 
Blake,  Jonathan 
Burnett,  Henry 
Burnett,  William 
Chase,  Thomas 
Champney,  Humphrey  A. 
Champney,  Jonathan  A. 
Cobb,  William,  jun. 
Cook,  Daniel 
Conant,  Asa 
Conant,  Benjamin 
Conant,  Benjamin,  2d 
Dana,  Joseph 
Davis,  Jonathan 
Delvie,  Jonathan 
Delvie,  Peter 
Dike,  William 
Eddy,  Abel 
Estey,  Jacob 
Fisher,  Israel 


Fisher,  Abijah 
Fuller,  Isaiah 
Goldsbury,  John 
Goldsbury,  James 
Goodale,  Joseph 
Goodale,  John 
Gale,  John 
Gale,  Jonathan 
Gould,  Thomas,  sen. 
Gould,  Thomas,  jun. 
Hastings,  Nathan 
Hastings,  Jonas 
Hazeltine,  Benjamin 
Hemenway,  Asa 
Holmes,  Luther 
Jennings,  Joel 
Kilton,  James 
Kilton,  Enoch 
Leonard,  Moses 
Leonard,  Jonas 
Leonard,  Francis 
Moses,  Samuel 
Miller,  Samuel 
Miller,  Gilbert 
Mayo,  David 
Mayo,  Caleb 
Moore,  John 
Moore,  Jonathan 
Moore,  Mark 
Morse,  Samuel 
Ormsbury,  John 
Packard,  Jacob 


APPENDIX. 


229 


Penny  man,  Bunyan 
Pennyman,  Peter 
Pomeroy,  Josiah 
Pond,  Joseph 
Pratt,  John 
Proctor,  Peter 
Rich,  Jacob 
Rich,  Caleb 
Reed,  Samuel 
Ripley,  Peter 
Robbins,  Isaac 
Simonds,  Benjamin 
Smith,  Jonathan 
Smith,  Josiah 
Smith,  Abner 
Stearns,  Nathaniel 
Stearns,  Ebenezer 
Stevens,  Wilder 
Stevens,  Nathaniel  G. 


Stockwell,  James 
Stow,  Thomas 
Thayer,  Asa 
Town,  Ephraim 
Trull,  Benjamin 
Watts,  Nicholas 
Warrick,  Jesse 
Wescoat,  Richard 
Wescoat,  Richard,  jun. 
Wheelock,  Eleazer 
Whitney,  John 
Whitney,  Daniel 
White,  Solomon 
White,  Jacob 
Whiting,  John 
Whiting,  Lewis 
Williams,  Triphena 
Williams,  Nathaniel  W. 
Willson,  John,  jun. 


WARWICK  PUBLIC   LIBRARY 


Contained,  Jan.  i,  1872,  610  volumes.  The  additions  for  the  year  were 
454  volumes.  The  Trustees  purchased  73  volumes.  Donations  were 
received  as  follows  :  — 

VOLS. 

Rev.  Preserved  Smith 12 

Mrs.  Mary  (Blake)  Clap 221 

Wm.  B.  Trask,  Esq 66 

School  District  No.  7 .        .  62 

Hon.  Alvah  Crocker 7 

Town  of  Warwick '   .         .  5 

Rev.  Henry  H,  Barber 2 

Unitarian  Association 3 

Miss  Dabney 2 

Mrs.  E.  S.  Sibley i 

454  vols. 
Whole  number  of  volumes  in  the  library,  Jan.  i,  1873,  1,064. 


INDEX. 


Aghd  people,  lists  of,  198,  227. 

Ager,  Solomon,  an  early  settler  at  '*  Flour  Hill,"^  i8 

Agriculture,  149. 

Appendix,  183. 

Arlington,  15. 

Ashuelot  River,  19. 

Athol,  15. 

B. 

Baptists,  article  in  the  warrant  concerning,  47  ;  society  incorporated,  91,  165  ;  church 
in  town,  and  ministers,  account  of,  165-168;  ministers  of  that  denomination  who 
originated  from  Warwick,   168. 

Barber,  Deacon  Hervey,  one  of  the  committee  to  have  charge  of  the  History  of  War- 
wick, 7;  history  of  the  town  continued  by  him  from  1854  to  1872,  succeeding  Hon. 
Jonathan  Blake,  125  ;  lectured  on  its  history,  Feb.  17,  1863,  that  day  being  the 
centennial  anniversary  of  its  incorporation,  130  ;  his  list  of  deaths  in  town,  from 
1847  to  1872,  221. 

Bark,  hemlock,  152. 

Barley,  119. 

Bassett,  Rev  Edward  Barnard,  installed  pastor  of  Second  Congregational  Church, 
164. 

Bears,  stories  of,  22,  135;  den,  123,  148. 

Beech  Hill,  so  named  from  its  former  large  growth  of  beech  timber,  17. 

Bell,  church,  first  in  town,  115  ;  new  one  from  Ames's  foundry,  Springfield,  115  ;  taken 
from  the  rebels  at  New  Orleans,  and  brought  to  Warwick,  lines  composed  on  oc- 
casion of  it,  192 ;  a  present  from  Col.  McKim,  130. 

Bennett,  Samuel,  20,  21. 

Bills,  Rev.  E.  G.,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  167. 

Black  Brook,  20. 

Black-lead,  122. 

Blake,  Jonathan,  sen.,  16,  159. 

Blake,  Hon.  Jonathan,  jun.,  early  history  of  Warwick,  written  by  him  in  1831  and 
1832,  3,  9,  176;  read  before  the  Lyceum,  4,  9;  delegate  to  attend  the  convention 
to  amend  the  Constitution  of  this  Commonwealth,  104,  196;  town  clerk,  select- 


232 


HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 


man,  overseer  of  the  poor,  assessor,  representative  to  the  General  Court,  senator, 
county  commissioner,  justice  of  the  peace,  forty-two  years  surveyor  of  land,  176; 
brief  memoir  of,  175,  176;  poetry  of,  177-1S2. 

Blake,  Samuel,  transcribed  the  history  written  by  his  brother,  5,  9  ;  wrote  a  brief  no- 
tice of  him,  175,  176;  first  marriage  of,  209. 

Blanchard,  Rev.  E.  H  ,  ordained  pastor  of  Second  Congregational  Church,  163. 

Boot  manufactory,  men  employed  in,  number  of  boots  manufactured,  amount  of  busi- 
ness in,  152. 

Boundaries  of  the  town,  15,  no. 

Bounty,  to  encourage  settlers,  22;  increased  to  twenty  pounds  in  1749,  23;  to  thirty 
pounds,  old  tenor,  or  the  value  thereof  in  silver,  1751,  23;  to  volunteers,  131,  136. 

Bowlder,  of  about  a  hundred  tons  weight,  which  can  be  rocked  with  a  single  hand,  149. 

Bridge,  Rev.  Henry  M.,  installed  pastor  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  163. 

Brimstone,  121,  122. 

Brook,  the,  18. 

Brushwoods,  manufactured,  153. 

Bumham,  Rev.  E.  M.,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  i66. 

Burying-ground,  laid  out,  37  ;  some  bodies  removed  from  thence  to  the  present  place 
of  interment,  67;  additions  to  the,  103;  trees  planted  in,  no. 


C. 

Cat.^mount  killed,  22. 

Cattle- shows,  150. 

Cemetery,  donations  for  the  benefit  of  the,  140,  143. 

Centenarian,  in  ;  death  of  one,  135. 

Centennial  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  a  lecture  given  at,  by  Deacon 

Hervey  Barber,  130. 
Chair  stuff,  153. 

Chestnut  Hill,  named  for  its  chestnut-trees,  15,  17. 
Child,  Phinehas,  ninety-fifth  anniversary  of  the  birth  of,  173. 
Church,  First,  pastors  of,  and  preachers  in,  157,  160,  161.     (See  Unitarian.) 
Church,  Second   Congregational,  formed,   116;    pastors  and  supplies  of,    163,    164; 

preachers  of,  originating  from  the  town,  165. 
Clap,  Mrs.  .Mary  Blake,  donations  of,  for  the  improvement  of  the  cemetery,  thanks  of 

the  town  to,  for  her  gifts,  140,  143;  donations  of,  to  the  First  Church  and  Society, 

162,  163. 
Clark,  Rev.  George  Faber,  installed  pastor  of  First  Church,  160. 
Climate,  m,  12?. 
Committee,  on  the  History  of  Warwick,  7  ;  appointed  by  the  General  Court  to  lay  out 

oris^inal  grants,  13 ;  to  find  out  the  nearest  route  from  Roxbury  to  this  place,  22  ; 

to  lay  out  a  road  to  Pequeage,  24. 
Committees  chosen,  7,  13,  14,  16,  22,  24,  29,  32,  35,  37,  38,  48-51,  63,  64,  66,  67,  69,  76, 

79,81,  82,  84-S7,  102,  108,  109,  114,  115,  126,  133,  137,  138,  140,  162. 
Common,  the,  of  ten  acres,  29;  lands,  laid  out  into  two  divisions  of  seventy-five  and 

sixty  acres  each,  32. 
Constitution  of  the  St.ate,  proposed  amendments  to,  two,  only,  out  of  the  fourteen  pre- 
sented were  accepted  by  the  town,  104  ;  additional  amendments  to,  acted  on,  1 14, 

116,  117,  125,  128-130. 
Copperas,  121. 


INDEX.  233, 

Cornet  band,  154. 

Cornwallis,  anecdote  in  relation  to  tlie  surrender  of,  41. 

County,  separate,  petitioned  for,  66;  of  Hampshire,  respecting  a  division  of,  82,  8S. 

Court,  General,  grant  from,  in  1735,  of  four  tracts  of  land,  for  townships,  each  six. 
miles  square,  in  the  admission  of  settlers  to  said  territory  preference  to  be  given 
to  petitioners  and  descendants  of  officers  and  soldiers  who  served  in  the  expedi- 
tion to  Canada  in  1690,  12. 

D. 

Daniels,  Rev.  E.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  167. 

Davenport,  James,  a  relation  of  his  concerning  the  British,  and  tiae  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution,  41,  42. 

Deaths  from  1807  to  1846,  214-221 ;  from  1847  to  1872,  221-226. 

Delegate  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  Massachusetts,  104. 

Delegates  to  the  congress  at  Northampton,  45. 

Democratic  party  formerly  in  the  ascendency,  a  change  since,  iig. 

Diseases,  iii. 

Districts,  school,  86. 

Dog-tax,  discharged  by  one  day's  work  on  the  highways  for  each  dog,  86  ;  for  benefit 
of  the  library,  140. 

Dudley,  William,  Esq.,  proprietor's  clerk  in  1736,  14. 

Dysentery,  malignant,  159. 

E. 
Earth,  red,  122. 

Electors  of  President  and  Vice-President  voted  for,  the  first  time,  80. 
Embargo,  memorial  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  the  repeal  of  the,  92,  93. 
Episcopalian  minister  who  originated  from  Warwick,  168. 
Erving's  Grant,  15. 
Exports,  III. 

F. 
Fairs,  150,  162. 

Families  or  settlers,  thirty-seven  of  them  located  on  the  first  division  of  lots,  31. 
Farms,  119  ;  first  ones  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  each,  17. 
Farrar,  Rev.  C,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  167. 
Fay,  Moses,  had  '*  Hobson's  choice"  of  pews  in  meeting-house,  77. 
Fay,  Rev.  L  ,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  166. 
Field  farm,  of  four  hundred  acres,  16. 
Fifty-acre  lots,  owners  of  in  1737,  when  the  first  plan  of  the  township  was  made,  also 

in  1761,  and  in  1872,  184,  185. 
Fireplaces,  old-fashioned,  21. 
F'irestone,  122. 

Fisk  Cemetery,  133,  134;  soldiers'  monument  erected  in,  146,  147. 
Fitzwilliam,  N.  H.,  soldiers'  monument  made  of  granite  from  tlie  quarry  in,  147. 
Flour  hill,  17,  18,  173 ;  why  so  called,  18. 
Fort,  the  only  one  built  in  the  town,  27  ;  Lot,  27. 
Franklin  Glass  Manufacturing  Company,  account  of,  94-97. 
Freestone,  122. 

Fund  for  the  support  of  Rev.  Samuel  Reed  as  minister,  80. 
Funeral  carriage,  and  a  house  for  the  same,  provided,  82,  94,  log. 
Funerals,  public,  of  Lemuel  Scott  and  Henry  G.  Mallard,  129. 


234  HISTORY    OF   WARWICK. 

G. 

Gai.e,  David,  killed  a  catamount,  22. 

Gallop,  Samuel,  petitions  the  General  Court  for  land,  in  consideration  of  his  services 
in  the  Canada  expedition  of  1690,  14. 

Gardner,  Capt.  Andrew,  in  Canada  expedition,  14.  • 

Gardner's  Canada,  so  called,  now  Warwick,  24. 

Gilbert,  Job,  surveyor,  laid  out  sixty-two  lots  of  land,  of  over  fourteen  acres  each, 
being  the  fifth  and  last  division,  39. 

Glass  Ctrnpany      (See  Franklin.) 

Goldsbury,  Rav.  John,  6  ;  one  of  the  committee  to  have  charge  of  the  history  of  the 
town,  7. 

Goldsbury,  Capt.  John,  representative  to  the  General  Court,  instructions  assigned 
him,  67,  6S ;  chosen  a  justice  of  the  peace,  70. 

Gould,  Thomas,  had  first  choice  in  the  pews  of  the  then  new  meeting-house,  17S6,  77. 

Grace  brook,  20. 

Graves,  Klder  J.  M.,  miaister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  i65. 

Great  farm,  16 

Grist  mill,  voted  in  1759,  to  build  one,  and  a  committee  chosen  to  select  the  spot  for 
it,  28  ;  built  on  Black  brook,  31. 

Groton,  part  of  a  leaf  of  an  account-book  found  there,  about  sixty  miles  from  War- 
wick, taken  thence  by  the  tornado,  107. 

Grout,  Howe,  and  Garfield  carried  into  captivity,  26. 

Guideposts,  the  first  erected  by  law,  84. 

H. 

Hailstorm,  destructive  one  described,  170-173. 

Hall,  Dr.  hlbenezer,  originator  of  the  Glass  .Manufacturing  Company  in  town,  94. 

Hastings,  Miss  Mary  Ann,  of  Framiugham,  Mass.,  legacy  of,  to  the  First  Church  and 
Society,  163. 

Hatch,  Rev.  Roger  C,  pastor  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  163;  death 
of,  163. 

Hats,  palm-leaf,  manufactured,  iii. 

Hay,  119,  149  :  and  other  articles,  the  prices  of,  fixed  by  a  committee  of  the  town,  63. 

Hearse,  82,  94,  109. 

Hedge,  Elisha,  his  donation,  87,  88. 

Hedge,  Rev.  Lemuel,  of  the  First  Church,  ordained,  28,  113  ;  votes  for  his  salary,  28, 
29 ;  liberty  given  him  to  lay  out  a  hundred  acres  of  land  in  one  place,  near  the 
meeting-house,  29 ;  answer  to  the  call  of  the  committee  for  settlement,  30 ;  agree- 
ment with,  for  his  salary,  35 ;  difficulties  with,  50,  51  ;  death  of,  62. 

Highways,  forty  pounds  raised  to  repair  them,  36. 

Hills,  or  high  ridges  of  land,  selected  for  the  first  settlements,  15 

Hix,  Elder,  his  delusions  and  disgraceful  exit  from  the  town,  59-61. 

Hodge,  Elder  Levi,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  165 ;  death  of,  166. 

Home  lots,  laid  out,  to  contain  not  less  than  fifty,  nor  more  than  sixty  acres,  began  to 
be  numbered  in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  14,  15. 

Horses,  the  town  voted  three  thousand  one  hundred  pounds  to  pay  for,  for  the  Conti- 
nental service,  65. 

House,  eighteen  feet  square,  and  seven  feet  stud,  at  the  least,  to  be  built  by  each  set- 
tler or  grantee,  13. 


INDEX.  235 

I. 

Incorporation  of  the  town,  132. 

Indebtedness  of  the  town,  129 

Independence,  national,  the  town  votes  unanimously  for  it,  54. 

Indian  capitivities,  in  1755  and  1756,  26;  corn,  119;  mortars,  123  ;  kettle,  148. 

Inhabitants,  general  character  of,  11 1;  decreased,  119;  more  than  one-twentieth  of 

them  seventy  years  of  age  and  upwards,  227. 
Instructions,  from  the  town  to  their  first  representative  in  the  General  Assembly  of 

the  Province,  52,  53  ;  to  their  representative  in  the  General  Court,  68. 
Iron  ore,  120-122;  forge,  121. 

J. 
Jarvis,  James,  of  Roxbury,  first  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  township  after- 
wards Warwick,  held  at  the  house  of,  in  173S  14- 
Johnson  and  his  company,  16. 
Jones,  Nahum,  7  ;  donor  of  land,  138  ;  boot  manufactory  established  by,  152. 


K. 
Kelton  Comer,  20. 

Kelton,  Enoch,  land-surveyor,  20  ;  his  wife  confined  fifty  years  to  her  bed, 
Kingsley,  Rev.  S.  S.,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  167. 
Knob,  Bennett's,  21. 


Lafayette,  shoes  and  stockin.Lrs  presented  by  him  to  our  soldiers,  42. 

Uand  sold  at  auction  in  1761,  for  about  four  cents  and  three  mills  per  acre,  32. 

Lands,  filth  and  last  division  of,  laid  out,  38. 

Langley,  Capt.  Samuel,  agreement  of,  to  build  a  new  meeting-house,  71-75  ;  his  dwell- 
ing-house destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  pews  and  doors,  nearly  finished,  of  the  meet- 
ing-house were  there  consumed,  77. 

Lawyer  in  town,  118,  192 

Lead,  122. 

Leather,  152. 

Leonard,  Moses,  what  is  now  the  north  part  of  the  burying-ground  given  by  him  to 
the  town,  67. 

Leonard,  Mrs.  Sarah  Blake,  notice  of,  164,  227. 

Lesure,  Mrs.  Hannah,  aged  101  years,  anecdote  and  death  of,  135. 

Lesure,  Samuel,  sen.,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  135. 

Library,  public,  money  appropriated  for,  137;  town  voted  to  accept  of  it,  139;  five 
trustees  of,  chosen,  140,  141;  money  appropriated  for  the  enlargement  of,  142; 
report  of  condition  of,  in  1S72,  229  " 

Life,  loss  of,  at  tornado  in  Warwick  in  1821,  106. 

Light  Infantry  of  the  town,  125.  153  ;  chartered,  and  officers  of,  153. 

Locke,  Ebenezer,  delays  building  a  saw-mill  through  fear  of  Indian  depredations, 
25,  26. 

Longevity,  in,  112,  124,  198,  199,  226,  227. 

Lots,  second  division  of,  laid  out  in  1757,  16. 
dumber,  119,  151. 


236  HISTORY   OF  WARWICK. 


M. 

McKiM,  Col.,  present  of  a  bell  from,  130. 

Manufactures,  151. 

Marriages  and  intentions  of  marriase,  list  of,  from  1806  to  1844,  206-214. 

Meeting-house,  to  be  thirty-five  feet  long,  and  thirty  wide,  with  nineteen-foot  posts, 
24  ;  site  for  it  first  selected,  24;  raised  in  1756,  in  another  place,  26  ;  four  pounds 
voted  to  enclose  it,  27  ;  standing  uncovered  two  years  after,  28 ;  voted  to  finish 
Jt>  32.  35:  agreement  with  Capt.  Samuel  Langley  to  build  a  new  one,  71,  161  ; 
struck  by  lightning,  161;  new  one  described,  115,  116;  repairs  on,  161-16:5;  con- 
cerning it,  90,  91,  110,  115. 

Members  of  the  church,  and  worthy  citizens  of  the  old  school,  alluded  to,  159. 

Methodists,  112. 

Military  companies,  two  in  town,  a  line  established  between  them,  81. 

Militia,  92:  officers  chosen,  47;  enrolled,  129. 

Mineral  productions,  120,  148. 

Minister,  first  settled,  to  have  one  share  or  a  sixty-third  part  of  the  original  township, 
12  ;  eighteen  pounds  raised  to  defray  the  charge  of  one  on  probation,  28. 

Ministers  in  town,  112,  11?,  157,  160,  161,  163-168. 

Ministry,  for  the  use  of,  one  sixty-third  part  of  the  territory  in  the  township,  12  ; 
lands  sold,  81 ;  in  relation  to  the,  97,  101,  102. 

Miry  brook,  19. 

Money,  voted  for  Mr.  Hedge's  settlement  in  the  ministry,  28;  paper,  depreciated, 
vote  concerning,  56 ;  voted  to  pay  for  horses  used  in  the  Continental  service,  63  ; 
raised  for  town  expenses,  118;  to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers,  130;  expended 
on  account  of  the  war,  145,  146. 

Monument,  Soldiers',  146  ;  a  soldier  killed  at  the  raising  of,  132. 

Monuments,  Stone,  on  the  town  lines,  129. 

Morse's  brook,  20;  pond,  19,  20. 

Mount  Grace,  so  named  from  a  child  of  Mrs.  Rowlandson,  buried  near  the  foot  of  it, 
19;  its  height,  123. 

N. 

Newali-,  Samuel,  one  of  the  petitioners  for  the  territory  (now  Warwick),  12,  14; 
authorized  by  the  General  Court,  in  June,  1736,  to  call  the  first  meeting  of  the 
proprietors,  14. 

Noon  houses  and  stables  to  be  built  on  the  meeting-house  common  if  requested  by 
the  inhabitants,  79. 

O. 

Oats,  119. 

Old  fort,  27. 

Orange,  the  town  of,  16,  129  ;  in  part  formed  from  Warwick,  67 ;  district  of  (then 
South  Warwick),  joins  with  the  town  of  Warwick  in  the  choice  of  a  representa- 
tive to  the  General  Court,  69. 

P. 

Packard,  Jacob,  chosen  a  delegate  to  attend  a  convention  at  Hatfield  called  to  de- 
vise means  to  stay  the  Shays  rebellion,  in  1786,  71. 
Padanaram,  19. 
Pails,  water,  152. 
Paine,  Esq.,  services  at  General  Court  in  getting  the  town  incorporated,  34. 


INDEX. 


237 


Paper  currency,  depreciation  of,  56,  62,  64. 

Park,  public,  137-139. 

Party  feelings  strong,  88-90. 

Pasture  lands,  119. 

Patriotic  votes,  and  movements  of  the  town,  41-47,  52-55,  58,  59. 

Paupers,  first  mentioned,  36,37;  the  inhabitants  to  keep  them  on  town  farm,  125- 
127;  case,  128;  expenses  of,  134. 

Peaked  End,  19. 

Pequeage,  15. 

Perambulating  the  town  lines,  first  record  of,  79. 

Petition  to  the  General  Court  for  town  incorporation,  32  ;  for  a  new  county,  34,  66  ;  for 
redress  of  grievances,  63. 

Pews  in  the  Unitarian  meeting-house,  owners  of  and  prices,  116. 

Physicians,  118,  192,  199,  203,  204. 

Pierce,  Daniel,  donor  to  the  Baptist  Church,  167. 

Poetry,  168,  —  by  Hon.  Jonathan  Blake,  Warwick,  177;  Sunday-school  celebration, 
178;  dedication-hymn  for  the  new  Unitarian  Church  in  Warwick,  179;  dedica- 
tion-hymn, 180;  lines  to  be  sung  at  a  donation  party,  181;  lines  of  condolence, 
182. 

Poetry  by  Elder  John  Shepardson,  —  reflections  on  the  tornado  of  1821,  188. 

Poetry  by  Susie  E.  Barber,  — the  Rebel  Bell,  190,  igi. 

Poetry  by  Miss  M.  A.  Reed,  —  Hymn  of  Welcome,  205,  206. 

Pomeroy,  Lieut.  Josiah,  chosen  delegate  to  attend  a  convention  at  Northampton,  to 
state  the  prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  63;  Medad,  Dr.,.  15  ;  notice  of,  204; 
lines  repeated  by  him,  204. 

Pomeroy's  Pond,  19. 

Population  in  i860  and  1865,  132. 

Postmasters,  199,  203. 

Pound,  to  be  built  of  wood,  underpinned  with  stones,  84 ;  new  ones,  97,  114. 

Powder-magazine  to  be  built,  102. 

Preachers,  summary  of  those  who  originated  from  the  town,  168. 

Prohibition  of  the  sale  of  ale,  porter,  and  beer,  141. 

Proprietors,  meeting  first  held  in  Roxbury,  Sept.  22,  1736,  and  after  till  1761,  14; 
twenty  shillings  each,  paid  by  the  sixty,  to  defray  the  expense  of  laying  out  the 
home  lots,  14 ;  first  meeting  of,  in  the  meeting-house,  30 ;  last  vote  on  record 
of,  40. 

Province  Land,  now  Royalston,  15. 

R. 

Railroad,  the  want  of  one,  120. 

Rainstorms,  172,  173. 

Rawson,  Mrs   Hannah,  first  town  school  teacher,  38. 

Recruits  for  the  war,  131. 

Reed,  Abigail,  report  of  a  committee  in  favor  of,  100,  loi. 

Reed,  Rev.  Samuel,  the  second  minister  of  the  town,  ordained,  63;  invited  to  become 
the  Town's  minister,  instead  of  the  Society's,  82  ;  his  answer  accepting  the  invi- 
tation, 83;  salary  of,  increased,  86;  death  of,  94. 

Regimental  orders,  186;  men  detached,  186,  187. 

Report  on  the  library,  to  be  printed,  143. 

Reports,  100,  loi,  103,  126,  133,  134,  140,  142. 


238  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Renresentative,  none  chosen  in  1783,  on  account  of,  as  alleged,  the  extreme  poverty 
of  tile  town,  69. 

Kj|5resentatives  chosen,  86,  87,^91,  192,  195,  196,  199. 

Residents  of  Warwick  over  seventy  years  of  age,  198,  227. 

Rich,  Lieut.  Thomas,  first  representative  from  the  town  to  meet  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Province  at  Watertown  in  i77'3,  51  ;  instructions  to,  52,  53,  53 

Roads,  the  first  on  record,  laid  out,  35  ;  tlie  first  accepted,  36 ;  important  votei  about, 
39:  seventy-six  miles  in  town,  all  of  them  surveyed  by  Jonathan  Blake,  jun.,  124. 

Rock,  shelving,  of  a  large  size,  14S. 

Rowlandson,  Mrs.,  and  her  daughter  Grace,  19 

Roxbury,  cr  Gardner's  Canada,  now  Warwick,  14. 

Rye,  119. 

S. 

Salt,  fi-om  Boston,  for  the  inhabitants,  51 ;  apportioned  by  General  Court,  56. 

Sawmill,  in  1753,  voted  fifty  pounds  to  build  one,  24;  delay  in  building  it  for  fear  of 
Indians,  25,  26;  set  a-going  in  1759,  58;  stood  on  Black  Brook,  31. 

Sawmills,  120,  151. 

School,  first,  at  the  expense  of  the  town,  37,  3S ;  ten  pounds  voted  to  support  it  a  part 
of  the  year,  37 ;  Mrs.  Hannah  Rawson  the  teacher,  38 ;  districts,  first  division 
of,  4S  ;  nine  formed  in  the  town,  69  ;  defined  anew,  114  ;  bounded,  117  ;  land  sold, 
81:  money,  86;  separated  from  the  ministerial,  114;  committee,  108,200-202;  se- 
lect one,  156. 

Schools,  one  of  the  sixty-three  shares  in  the  township,  for  the  benefit  of,  12. 

Schools  and  schoDihouses,  86,  loi,  102,  loS,  128,  137,  142,  156. 

Scott's  brook,  20. 

Scott,  Samuel,  his  house  to  be  fortified,  27. 

Selectmen,  37,  193,  194,  196,  197,  199,  200 ;  imprisoned,  78. 

Settlers,  original,  to  be  admitted,  to  be  sixty  in  number,  and  to  have  one  share  each, 
of  the  township,  12,  13;  to  be  on  the  premises,  to  have  a  house  eighteen  feet 
square,  and  seven  feet  stud,  and  six  acres  of  land  brought  to,  13  ;  bonds  required 
of,  penalty  twenty  pounds,  13;  estates  to  be  forfeited  to  the  Province  within  five 
years,  in  case  of  non-fulfilment  of  terms,  14  ;  early,  124. 

Severance  farm,  of  two  hundred  acres,  16. 

Sharp,  Capt.  Robert,  moderator  of  the  first  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  14. 

Shays  rebellion,  70. 

Sheomet,  Indian  name  of  the  surrounding  country,  200. 

Shepardson,  Elder  John,  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church,  166;  death  of,  166. 

Skunks  Baron,  19. 

Smith,  Rev.  Preserved,  called  to  settle,  97 ;  his  answer,  98,  99 ;  ordained,  99,  157  ; 
half-century  discourse  of,  15S. 

Soil,  III. 

Soldiers,  bounty  paid  to,  for  six  months*  service,  64,  65  ;  and  soldiers'  families,  money 
for  the  support  of,  136 ,  monume.it  to,  erected  by  the  town,  146. 

South  Warwick,  called  the  district  of  Orange,  69. 

Spiritualism,  16Z. 

Spooner,  Samuel  W.,  a  delegate  to  the  convention  for  amending  the  Constitution  of 
the  State,  in  1853,  196. 

State  Constitution,  non-acceptance  of,  57,  64. 

Stave  and  other  mills,  152. 


INDEX. 


239 


Stockings  for  the  soldiers,  knit  by  a  centenarian,  136. 

Straw  braiding,  iii. 

Strong,  Caleb,  voted  for  on  the  part  of  the  town  for  County  Register,  57. 

Survey  of  the  town,  124. 

T. 

Tannery,  152. 

Taylor,  Dr.  Amos,  physician  over  forty  years,  204. 

rilesto;i,  Tiio  nis,  of  Djrchister,  a  petitioter  for  a  tract  of  land  for  services  in  the 
Canada  expedition  of  1690,  12. 

Tilton,  Abraham,  and  others  who  served  in  the  expedition  to  Canada,  petitions  Gen- 
eral Court,  in  1735,  for  land,  which  was  granted,  12. 

Timber  on  Town  Farm  to  be  disposed  of,  137. 

Tornado,  a  destructive  one  described,  104-108  ;  lines  concerning  it,  i88. 

Town,  meeting,  the  first,  33 ;  plan  made  by  Jonathan  Blake,  jun  ,  124;  farm  i.?6, 
127;  warrants  posted,  128;  officers,  132,  192;  clerks,  193,  196,  202,  203;  treasur- 
er, 203. 

Training-field,  laid  out,  29. 

Trees,  119;  set  out  in  the  burying-ground,  no. 

Trustees  of  the  Library,  140. 

Tully  brook,  20;  river,  20. 

U. 

Unitarian  Church,  First  Congregational,  157;  plan  of  the  interior  of,  with  owners 

and  prices  of  pews,  1 16. 
Unitarian  preachers  originating  from  the  town,  161. 
Universalist  Society,  incorporated,  97,  118,  168  ;  ministers  of,  and  those  who  originated 

from  the  place,  168. 

V. 

Valuation  of  the  town  in  i860  and  in  1865,  132. 

Volunteers  for  the  war,  131. 

Vote,  for  numbering  the  people,  56;   against  adopting  the  constitution  laid  before  the 

people,  57  ;  to  pay  three  yeats'-men  in  the  service,  65  ;  to  raise  men  and  beef  for 

the  army,  65. 
Votes,  patriotic  ones,  in  1774,  44.  * 

W. 

War  of  the  rebellion,  the  town  lost  twenty-six  men  in,  132  ;  their  names  inscribed  on 
the  Soldiers'  Monument,  i8g  ;  names  of  those  from  the  town  who  entered  it  in 
the  service  of  the  country,  189. 

War  of  1812-14,  men  enlisted  in,  185. 

Warned  out  of  town,  all  who  were  not  inhabitants,  63. 

Warwick,  History  of,  read  before  Lyceum.  4,  g;  committee  on,  7;  town  of,  appro- 
priating money  for  the  publication  of,  8 ;  territory  of,  one  of  four  grant*;,  each  six 
miles  square,  granted  by  the  General  Court  in  1735,  each  town  laid  out  in  sixty- 
three  equal  shares,  one  each  for  the  first  settled  minister,' the  ministry,  the  schools 
and  sixty  settlers,  12-14;  charges  of  laying  out  the  township,  and  admitting  set- 
tlers, defrayed  by  the  Province,  13 ;  first  called  Roxbury,  or  Gardner's  Canada, 
14;  contained  twenty-three  thousand  acres  of  land,  exclusive  of  the  Great  Farm 
of  sixteen  hundred  acres,  and  the  Severance  and  the  field  farms,  16,  in;  way 
from,  to  Northfield,  1740,  Deacon  Davis  to  mark  it  out,  23;  town  of,  incorporated 


240  HISTORY   OF   WARWICK. 

Feb  17,  1763,  3j;  name  of,  probably  originated  from  Warwick  in  England,  or 
from  Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick,  33  ;  first  town-meeting  in,  33 ;  first  town-officers 
chosen,  33,  34;  names  of  owners  or  occupiers  of  houses  in,  in  1798,  228,  229. 

Water  of  the  town  feeds  three  rivers,  —  Miller's,  Ashuelot,  and  Connecticut,  124. 

Wi/,  public,  marked  out  through  Pequeage,  now  Athol,  to  Northfield,  23. 

Wheat,  119. 

Wildcats,  thirty  pouads  bounty  for  killing  them,  85. 

Willard,  Rev.  William  A   P.,  ordained  pastor  of  first  church,  160. 

W.lliams,  Sanuil,  representative  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Concord,  46;  at  Cam- 
bridge, at  Watertown,  49. 

Wjlves,  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  twenty  pounds  per  head  on,  58;  vote  concerning,  64. 

Wood,  for  fuel,  152. 


Erratum.  —  Page  173,  line  14  from  top,  for  Flower  Hill  read  Flour  Hill. 


14  DAY  USE 

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LD21-35m-8,'72 
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General  Library 

University  of  California 

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